Question

Elements of group 1A are called?

Answer 1

`"The alkali metals..."`

Explanation:

The alkali metal are all soft, low melting, and reactive species. Because sodium reacts quantitatively with water, this metal (and potassium) is commonly used as a drying agent. You could ask your prof to demonstrate the use of a sodium press...which is a die with a small hole, and a threaded handle, with which you can press out long ribbons of sodium metal. Failing that, you can also roll sodium metal into thin sheets as you would pastry with a rolling pin.