What is the common oxidation state of alkali metals?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the common oxidation state of alkali metals?
+1
+2
0
-1
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the common oxidation state of alkali metals?
Correct Answer: +1
Step 1: Identify alkali metals. These are the elements in Group 1 of the periodic table, which include lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).
Step 2: Understand what oxidation state means. Oxidation state refers to the charge of an atom in a compound, indicating how many electrons it has lost or gained.
Step 3: Recognize that alkali metals have one electron in their outermost shell.
Step 4: Know that alkali metals tend to lose this one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Step 5: When alkali metals lose one electron, they acquire a charge of +1.
Step 6: Conclude that the common oxidation state of alkali metals is +1.
