This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Group 1: Alkali Metals for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Group 1: Alkali Metals in Atomic Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 10 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
🎯 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.
Practice questions for Group 1: Alkali Metals
How many electrons do alkali metals have in their outermost shell?
Explain why potassium is more reactive than sodium when it reacts with water.