The Periodic Table

Alkali Metals

 Going down the group, the melting and boiling points of alkali metals
decrease, and their densities generally increase.
 They are called alkali metals because they react with water to form an alkali
and hydrogen.
 Alkali metals are powerful reducing agents.
 Alkali metals form ionic compounds.
 The chlorides of alkali metals are soluble in water.
Answers to Question of 16.3
1. Sodium
2. A) Rubidium reacts with water to form hydrogen and rubidium
hydroxide.
B) Rubidium reacts with chlorine to form rubidium chloride, a salt
soluble in water.

3. A) rubidium, B) rubidium

Halogens

 Down the group, halogens’ melting and boiling points increase and their
color is darker.
 Halogens undergo displacement reactions with halide solutions. In a
displacement reaction, a more reactive halogen displaces a less reactive
halogen.
 The reactivity of halogens decreases down the group, because size of the
atom increases down the group, making it harder for the nucleus to attract
one more electrons.
 Halogens are powerful oxidizing agents.

Transition Metals

 Have high melting and boiling points and densities.

 Have various oxidation states.
 Are colored compounds
 Are good catalysts