Which group do alkali metals belong to in the periodic table?

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Multiple Choice

Which group do alkali metals belong to in the periodic table?

Alkali metals live in the first column of the periodic table, which is group 1. They share a single valence electron in their outer shell, so they readily lose that electron to form a +1 ion. That electron arrangement leads to their characteristic properties: they are soft, highly reactive metals that react vigorously with water and air. So when the question asks which group they belong to, group 1 is the best answer because it reflects both their position in the table and their shared chemistry. For context, group 2 contains alkaline earth metals, group 17 contains halogens, and group 18 contains noble gases, while hydrogen is often placed above group 1 but is not an alkali metal.

Alkali metals live in the first column of the periodic table, which is group 1. They share a single valence electron in their outer shell, so they readily lose that electron to form a +1 ion. That electron arrangement leads to their characteristic properties: they are soft, highly reactive metals that react vigorously with water and air. So when the question asks which group they belong to, group 1 is the best answer because it reflects both their position in the table and their shared chemistry. For context, group 2 contains alkaline earth metals, group 17 contains halogens, and group 18 contains noble gases, while hydrogen is often placed above group 1 but is not an alkali metal.

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