Question
What do all atoms of alkali metals have in common? The same number of valence electrons or the same number of electron shells
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
All atoms of alkali metals have the same number of valence electrons. Specifically, alkali metals, which are located in Group 1 of the periodic table, all have one valence electron. This characteristic gives them similar chemical properties, such as the tendency to lose that one electron and form positive ions (cations).
While alkali metals do share similarities in the number of electron shells within a specific period (row) of the periodic table, the number of electron shells varies as you move down the group (for example, lithium has 2 electron shells, while cesium has 6). Therefore, the more accurate answer to your question is that alkali metals have the same number of valence electrons.
While alkali metals do share similarities in the number of electron shells within a specific period (row) of the periodic table, the number of electron shells varies as you move down the group (for example, lithium has 2 electron shells, while cesium has 6). Therefore, the more accurate answer to your question is that alkali metals have the same number of valence electrons.