What is the name of the family of metallic elements in group 1 that are highly reactive, have low density and melting points, and are soft?

• A. Alkaline earth metals
• B. Alkali metals
• C. Corrosive
• D. Homogeneous

Answer: (B)

Alkali metals are the family described. They are in group 1 of the periodic table and are highly reactive because they have a single electron in their outer shell that they readily lose to form a +1 ion. Their softness lets them be cut with a knife, and they have low densities and relatively low melting points compared with many other metals. Reactivity increases as you move down the group, and they react vigorously with water to produce hydrogen gas and alkaline hydroxides.

Alkaline earth metals are a different family (group 2), generally harder, denser, and with higher melting points than alkali metals. “Corrosive” is a property, not a family, and “homogeneous” describes a uniform mixture, not a metal group.