Title : Problem statement :

Reactivity Of Alkali Metals With Water How does the reactivity of alkali metals with water change when going down Group 1? C1 PI 1(i) Aim : To investigate the reactivity of alkali metals with water. C1 PI 1(i) Hypothesis : The reactivity of alkali metals increases down Group 1 / When going down Group 1, the reactivity of alkali metals with water increases. C1 PI 1(ii) Variables i) Manipulated The type of alkali variable : metal ii) Responding variable : The vigorousity of the reaction with water iii) Fixed / Constant The size of alkali variables metals ; Volume of water C1 PI 1(ii) Apparatus Metal trough ; A pair of forceps ; Scalpel ; and evaporating dish materials : Alkali metals : Lithium, Sodium and Potassium (same size) ; red litmus paper ; filter paper ; water C1 PI 1(iii)

Alkali metal Water Filter paper

Procedure :

1. A small piece of lithium is cut with a scalpel and the oil on the surface is dried with a piece of filter paper. 2. A metal trough is filled half full of water. 3. A piece of filter paper is placed gently on the water surface so that it floats on the water. 4. The piece of lithium metal is placed on the filter paper using a pair of forceps. 5. The filter paper is tapped to sink it. 6. The reaction between the lithium metal and water is observed and recorded. 7. When the reaction has completed, a piece of red litmus paper is dipped into the water in the metal trough. The colour change of the red litmus paper is observed and recorded. 8. The experiment is repeated using sodium and potassium instead of lithium. C1 PI 1(iv)

Observations C1 PI 1(v) C3 PI 1 C3 PI 2 C3 PI 3

Alkali metal Lithium

Observations Colour Vigorousity of the change of reaction red litmus paper Rolls on the water Turns blue Turns blue

surface producing a hissingsound. Rolls fast on the Sodium water surface producing a hissing sound. It burst into a yellow flame. Potassium Rolls very fast on the water surface producing a hissing sound. It immediately burst into a lilac flame.

Turns blue

Making inferences C4 PI 1 C4 PI 2

Alkali metals react with water to produce an alkaline solution and hydrogen gas.
2Li (s) + 2H2O(l) 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g) 2Na (s) + 2H2O(l) 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) 2K (s) + 2H2O(l) 2KOH(aq) + H2(g)

The reactivity of the alkali metals witrh water increases down Group 1.
Conclusion C4 PI 3 The reactivity of alkali metals increases down Group 1 / When going down Group 1, the reactivity of alkali metals with water increases. Hypothesis is accepted.