Exam Focus

🎯 Exam Focus

Frequently Examined

Group 1 is examined heavily, particularly explaining the reactivity trend and writing equations for reactions with water. Common question types: write/balance equations for reactions with water (2 marks); state observations when an alkali metal is added to water (3 marks); explain why reactivity increases down the group (3 marks). Higher tier students may be asked to compare Group 1 and Group 7 reactivity trends and explain both in terms of electronic structure and nuclear attraction.

Edexcel 1CH0: Examined in Paper 1 (1CH0/1). Trends in reactivity down Group 1 are a common 3–4 mark question in Edexcel papers. Students should be ready to write word and balanced symbol equations for reactions with water, describe observations, and explain the reactivity trend using outer electron distance and shielding. In Edexcel-style questions, the command word "Suggest" appears frequently — use your chemistry knowledge to apply to an unfamiliar context.