Alkali metals and water

from scientist303



Alkali metals react with water reducing its protons to H2(g) and leaving an alkaline aqueous solution due to alkali metal hydroxide formation. When going down in the group from lithium to cesium the alkali metals give its electrons to the protons of water more easily and the reaction goes faster. As the reaction release heat, if this heat cannot be dissipated quickly enough the hydrogen released will get ignited, sometimes very violently, and react with atmospheric oxygen forming water again.

M(s) + H2O(l) = M(OH)(ac) + 1/2 H2(g) + lots of energy(*)!!...
H2(g) + ½ O2(g) + ignition energy(*) = H2O (g)!! + lots of energy!!...