Question

Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium are known as________ metals. These metals are ________ as they have valency 1.

• A. alkali
• B. monovalent

Answer 1

Alkali metals:

• The s-block elements having only one electron in their s-orbital are called group one or alkali metals.
• They all are highly reactive metals.
• They all liberate hydrogen gas on reaction in water.
• They all are good reducing agents.
• They are not found in nature as a free element, but generally as salts.
• The alkali metals consist of the chemical elements: Lithium ($\mathrm{Li}$), Sodium ($\mathrm{Na}$), Potassium ($\mathrm{K}$), Rubidium ($\mathrm{Rb}$), Cesium ($\mathrm{Cs}$), and Francium ($\mathrm{Fr}$).
• The general outer electronic configuration of s block elements is ${\mathrm{ns}}^{(1-2)}$.

Therefore, lithium, sodium, and potassium are known as alkali metals. These metals are monovalent as they have valency 1.