The alkali metals are a group (column) in the periodic table consisting of the chemical elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), [note 1] rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), [note 2] and francium (Fr).
All the elements of group 1 in the periodic table are known as alkali metals. These are lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (fr).
Characteristics of alkali metals are as follows.
Alkali metals are soft and can be cut with a knife.
They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
They have only 1 electron in their outermost sub-shell.
