The weather in Group 1 of the periodic desk, excluding hydrogen, are characterised by having a selected amount of electrons of their outermost shell. This shared attribute considerably influences their chemical habits, making them extremely reactive metals. As an illustration, sodium (Na) and potassium (Ok) readily lose this solitary electron to kind secure, positively charged ions.
Possessing a single electron available for bonding explains a number of properties. This configuration ends in a robust tendency to kind ionic bonds with nonmetals, resulting in the creation of assorted essential chemical compounds. Traditionally, the benefit with which these components react has made them essential in various purposes, from industrial processes to vitality storage.