Chemistry Regents Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The group on the periodic table that contains alkali metals is Group 1. Alkali metals are characterized by having a single electron in their outermost shell, which makes them highly reactive, especially with water. The reactivity increases as you move down the group, with lithium at the top and cesium at the bottom being the most reactive.

Group 1 includes elements such as lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K), which are all known for their low melting points and densities compared to other metals. These metals readily lose their outer electron to form positive ions with a charge of +1, which is a key determinant of their chemical behavior.

On the other hand, Group 2 contains alkaline earth metals, which have two electrons in their outermost shell, making them less reactive than alkali metals. Group 3 is where the boron group resides, which includes various metals but not the alkali metals. Lastly, Group 14 consists of the carbon group, which includes a mix of nonmetals and metalloids, again not including the alkali metals.

Understanding the arrangement of elements in these groups helps in predicting their chemical properties and reactivity, which is crucial for any further studies in chemistry.