Question

Distinguish between alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

Answer 1

Alkali Metals:

• Alkali metals are soft. 
• They have a single electron in the valence shell and their electronic configuration is [noble gas] ns¹ . 
• They have low melting points. 
• Hydroxides are strongly basic. 
• Carbonates do not decompose.
• Nitrates give corresponding nitrites and oxygen as products. 
• They show +1 oxidation states. 
• Their carbonates are soluble in water except Li₂CO₃ . 
• Except Li, alkali metals do not form complex compounds.

Alkaline earth metals:

• Alkaline earth metals are hard. 
• They have two electrons in the valence shell and their electronic configuration is [noble gas] ns².
• They have relatively high melting points.
• Hydroxides are less basic.
• Carbonates decompose to form oxide, when heated to high temperatures.
• Nitrates give corresponding oxides, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen as products.
• They show +2 oxidation states.
• Their carbonates are insoluble in water.
• They can form complex compounds.