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The Periodic Table

The Alkali Metals  -  Properties of Compounds.

All alkali metal compounds with non-metals are white solids
which have
ionic giant structures.
These compounds are all soluble in water and form colourless solutions.

1)  Chlorides.
All the chlorides are ionic salts.
Electrolysis of the molten chloride will give
the metal at the cathode (negative electrode)
and chlorine at the anode (positive electrode)

Electrolysis of the chloride salt in water will give
hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.
See the electrolysis of sodium chloride in water.

2)  Oxides and Hydroxides.
The oxides and hydroxides are alkaline in solution.
The oxides react with water to form alkaline hydroxides.
The alkaline hydroxide may be neutralised by an acid to form a salt + water.

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