Comparison with Group 1 elements — AQA GCSE Chemistry
Test yourself on Comparison with Group 1 elements with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Comparison with Group 1 elements explained
This statement requires a property-by-property comparison between transition elements and Group 1 elements.
Read the full explanation
Transition metals such as iron and copper have high melting points, high densities, and are strong and hard. Group 1 metals such as sodium and potassium have low melting points, low densities, and are soft enough to cut with a knife. Reactivity also differs: Group 1 metals react rapidly with oxygen, water and halogens, whereas transition metals react much more slowly or only when heated. For example, sodium tarnishes in air and reacts vigorously with water, while iron rusts slowly and copper reacts only on heating. When describing differences, name the property, state the trend for each group, and support it with a named example to make the comparison precise.
Your focus
- Describe differences in melting point, density, strength and hardness between transition elements and Group 1 elements.
- Describe differences in reactivity with oxygen, water and halogens between transition elements and Group 1 elements.
- Use named elements to exemplify each described difference.
Comparison with Group 1 elements exam tips
Marking Points
- Transition metals have higher melting points than Group 1 metals, which are low melting.
- Transition metals have higher densities than Group 1 metals, which are low density and float on water.
- Transition metals are stronger and harder than Group 1 metals, which are soft and easily cut.
- Group 1 metals react vigorously with oxygen, water and halogens, while transition metals react slowly or require heating.
- Named examples can support each comparison, such as sodium reacting vigorously with water and iron rusting slowly.
- The differences arise because transition metals have stronger metallic bonding and more delocalised electrons than Group 1 metals.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Structure comparison answers property by property, giving the transition metal trend first and the Group 1 trend second.
- 💡Include at least one named element from each group to make the comparison concrete.
- 💡Use comparative language such as higher, lower, more reactive and less reactive rather than absolute statements.
Common Mistakes
- Saying transition metals are more reactive than Group 1 metals: correct this by stating that Group 1 metals are more reactive with oxygen, water and halogens.
- Giving a general statement without naming the property: correct this by specifying melting point, density, strength, hardness or reactivity.
- Confusing hardness with strength: correct this by describing hardness as resistance to scratching and strength as resistance to breaking or deformation.