Chemistry 11–12 · Year 11
Reactivity of Group 1 and Group 2 metals with water down and across the periodic table
Module 1: Properties and Structure of Matter
Teacher-led demonstration
A teacher carries out this activity as a demonstration. Its materials, steps, variables, misconceptions and sources are not published on the open web, and neither is any result, control or note that states a number or an amount: tutors and administrators read them on the learning platform, with the safety card first. The idea, the hazards and the curriculum references are below.
Open the procedure on the learning platform (tutor or administrator sign-in)
School laboratory, not for home
In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
The idea
Reactivity with water rises down Group 1 (lithium to sodium) and is lower for the Group 2 metals, following the trend in first ionisation energy.
Safety card
Setting: In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
Hazards
- alkali metals ignite and spit molten metal and hydroxide
- hydrogen ignition
- corrosive hydroxide solution
- calcium reaction can splash hot alkaline solution
Controls
At least one of them states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so the controls are shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
Note
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
What you should see
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
Curriculum references
The NSW syllabus outcomes and Australian Curriculum v9 codes this activity supports. They are references, not a verified or complete curriculum alignment.
- Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017), NESA; the current syllabus, taught in 2026 (codes read from the syllabus document)CH11-8CH11/12-3CH11/12-4
- Chemistry 11-12 Syllabus (2025), NESA; implemented from 2028, not yet taughtCH-11-01CH-11-03CH-11WS-03
- Australian Curriculum v9No Australian Curriculum v9 code is listed.