The alkali metals are a group in the periodic table consisting of the chemical elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).
This group lies in the s-block of the periodic table as all alkali metals have their outermost electron in an s-orbital. Any of a group of soft metallic elements that form alkali solutions when they combine with water. They include lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Except for cesium, which has a gold sheen, alkali metals are white.
The alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell, and therefore react easily with other elements and are found in nature only in compounds.
| Name | Symbol | Atomic Number | Atomic Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium | Li | 3 | 6.941 |
| Sodium | Na | 11 | 22.989768 |
| Potassium | K | 19 | 39.0983 |
| Rubidium | Rb | 37 | 85.4678 |
| Cesium | Cs | 55 | 132.90543 |
| Francium | Fr | 87 | -223.0197 |
Francium (Fr) is a chemical element with an atomic number of 87 in the periodic table of elements. It’s found in the amount of only 24.5 grams (0.86 ounces) at any time in Earth’s crust. Being a member of the alkali family group of the periodic table, this intensely radioactive substance is the heaviest chemical … Read more
Caesium is a chemical element with an atomic number of 55 in the periodic table of elements. It’s the 45th most abundant element in Earth’s crust. Being a member of the alkali metals family of periodic table elements, caesium has been classified as one of the incompatible elements. Caesium has eight valence electrons that make … Read more
Rubidium (Rb) Introduction Rubidium is a chemical element with the atomic number 37 in the periodic table. With an occurrence of 90 parts per million by weight, it’s the 25th most abundant chemical element found in Earth’s crust. As a member of the alkali group of metals, this soft, silvery-white chemical has one valence electron … Read more
Potassium (K) Introduction Potassium is a chemical element with the atomic number 19 in the periodic table of elements. With about 2.0 to 2.5 percent occurrence in the Earth’s crust, it’s the eighth most abundant element found in the layers of our planet. As a member of the alkali metals family in the periodic table, … Read more
Sodium (Na) Introduction Sodium is a chemical element with atomic number 11 in the periodic table. It’s the fourth most abundant element and comprises around 2.6% of Earth’s crust. Being a member of the alkali metals family of the periodic table, this monoisotopic element has one valence electron that makes it one of the most … Read more
Lithium (Li) Introduction Lithium is a chemical element with atomic number 3 in the periodic table. This chemical element is a mixture of lithium-6 and lithium-7, both stable isotopes. Lithium is the first metal element classified according to Mendeleev’s system of elements and it occurs in an abundance of 0.002% of Earth’s crust. As a … Read more