In the periodic table, which groups contain the alkali metals?

Alkali metals are located in Group 1 of the periodic table. This group includes elements such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Alkali metals are characterized by having a single electron in their outermost shell, which makes them highly reactive, particularly with water and halogens. Their reactivity increases as you move down the group, with cesium being the most reactive.

The elements in Group 1 exhibit similar properties, such as low melting and boiling points, and they readily form positive ions with a charge of +1. These properties make them distinct from elements in other groups, such as the alkaline earth metals in Group 2, the noble gases in Group 18, and the carbon group in Group 14, which have different valence electron configurations and chemical behaviors. The unique characteristics of alkali metals highlight the organization of the periodic table and the significance of group placement in determining elemental properties.