Question

The hydroxides of Alkali metals are strong bases. Why?

Answer 1

We know the electropositive character increases down the group in periodic table. The alkali metals have very low ionization enthalpy and with increase in electropositive character the ionization enthalpy decreases down the group.Thus cleavage of Metal-OH bond occurs more easily as we move down the group.Thus they act as a very strong bases giving high concentration of OH ^- ions.