Question

The chemistry of alkali metals is essentially the chemistry of uni positive ions because

• A. They have low Ionization energy values
• B. they have strong tendency to lose single valence electron
• C. Second Ionization energy values are very high
• D. All the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D

All the above

Alkali metals are IA group elements which contain 1 electron in the valence shell.

Ex: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs - $n{s}^1$ - outer electronic configuration.

a) Alkali metals have 1 electron extra than the inert gas configuration and removal of that electron becomes easy as they attain inert gas configuration.So, they have low I.P values.

b) Alkali metals lose the valence electron readily and attain nearest inert gas configuration to become stable and forms uni positive ion.($M^{+}$)

c) In alkali metals, after removing $1^{st}$electron, removal of second electron needs more energy as the ion attains completely filled inert gas configuration.Hence, second I.P values are large.

Hence, d) all the above statements are correct.