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What happens when an alkali metal reacts with water? A metal chloride is formed. Enough energy is released to melt the metal. The metal rapidly turns from shiny to dull. The metal floats on the surface.

Question

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with water?
A metal chloride is formed.
Enough energy is released to
melt the metal.
The metal rapidly turns from
shiny to dull.
The metal floats on the
surface.

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with water? A metal chloride is formed. Enough energy is released to melt the metal. The metal rapidly turns from shiny to dull. The metal floats on the surface.

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RosamundProfessional · Tutor for 6 years

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Enough energy is released to melt the metal.

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## Step 1:<br />Alkali metals are a group of elements found in Group 1 of the periodic table, excluding Hydrogen. This group includes Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Caesium (Cs), and Francium (Fr).<br /><br />## Step 2:<br />When alkali metals react with water, they produce an alkali solution (or alkali hydroxide solution) and hydrogen gas. The general reaction can be represented by the equation:<br />### \[2M + 2H_2O \rightarrow 2MOH + H_2\]<br />where \(M\) represents an alkali metal.<br /><br />## Step 3:<br />This reaction is highly exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of energy. The energy released is often enough to melt the metal, especially for heavier alkali metals like Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), and Caesium (Cs).<br /><br />## Step 4:<br />In addition to the energy release, the hydrogen gas produced can ignite due to the heat of the reaction, causing a small explosion or flame.<br /><br />## Step 5:<br />The alkali metal also rapidly turns from shiny to dull due to the formation of the metal hydroxide on its surface.<br /><br />## Step 6:<br />Alkali metals are less dense than water, causing them to float on the surface during the reaction.<br /><br />#
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