Describe briefly five properties which show a general gradation as the group is descending from lithium to caesium. – NABTEB QUESTION

Properties that show a gradual gradation down the group.

1. Reactions with cold water become increasingly more vigorous.

2. The chemical reactivity increases.

3. Solubility of their oxides to form hydroxides decreases.

4. On heating, their nitrates decompose with increasing difficulty

5. Melting point/boiling point decreases.

6. Electronegatively decreases.

7. Ionisation energy decreases.