How do alkali metals react with water? | 14-16 years

A photograph showing an explosive reaction between potassium, an alkali metal, and water

Source: © Shutterstock

Explore how alkali metals react with water using a series of demonstrations and videos in this lesson plan with activities

In this activity, teacher demonstrations are used to help learners learn about how alkali metals react with cold water.

The reactions of lithium and sodium are demonstrated and explained; the reaction of potassium is demonstrated without comment and learners write an appropriate ‘voice over’ to accompany the demonstration.

Finally, learners predict how rubidium and caesium will react with cold water before watching the reactions on a video clip.

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