Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Alkali Family Compared to Coinage Family (Cu, Ag, Au)
Dr. DeBacco
Alkali Family
Highly reactive: Especially with water, forming strong bases (alkalies) like sodium hydroxide.
Soft metals: Can be cut with a knife; have a shiny, silvery appearance.
Low melting points: Cesium melts just above room temperature!
Excellent conductors: Of heat and electricity.
One valence electron: Makes them eager to lose it and form +1 cations.
Coinage Metals
Coinage metals are metallic elements and their alloys historically used to mint coins.
The term commonly refers to copper, silver, and gold, which are found in Group 11 of the periodic table
These metals were chosen for their malleability, durability, and resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for coinage
Similarities
Both groups have one valence electron in their outermost s-orbital, making them likely to lose one electron to form +1 ions.
Both are metals with metallic luster when freshly prepared.
Both are used in industrial and technological applications, though their specific uses differ significantly.
Differences
Their differences stem from the coinage metals’ filled d-orbitals, which reduce reactivity and increase bonding versatility compared to the highly electropositive alkali metals.
The alkali metals are highly reactive, soft, and low-density, suited for applications requiring high chemical activity (ex. batteries).
In contrast, the coinage metals are far less reactive, denser, and more durable, making them ideal for applications requiring stability and conductivity (ex. electronics, jewelry).
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1GrQO43wmjOBtkJbquQ7BRS6e_gOcl-mA/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Alkali Family Compared to Coinage Family Cu, Ag, Au" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1a3ChgUN5qtvJrXv612LDleaPxet1OjA3/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
Alkali Family Compared to Coinage Family (Cu, Ag, Au)
Dr. DeBacco
Alkali Family
Highly reactive: Especially with water, forming strong bases (alkalies) like sodium hydroxide.
Soft metals: Can be cut with a knife; have a shiny, silvery appearance.
Low melting points: Cesium melts just above room temperature!
Excellent conductors: Of heat and electricity.
One valence electron: Makes them eager to lose it and form +1 cations.
Coinage Metals
Coinage metals are metallic elements and their alloys historically used to mint coins.
The term commonly refers to copper, silver, and gold, which are found in Group 11 of the periodic table
These metals were chosen for their malleability, durability, and resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for coinage
Similarities
Both groups have one valence electron in their outermost s-orbital, making them likely to lose one electron to form +1 ions.
Both are metals with metallic luster when freshly prepared.
Both are used in industrial and technological applications, though their specific uses differ significantly.
Differences
Their differences stem from the coinage metals’ filled d-orbitals, which reduce reactivity and increase bonding versatility compared to the highly electropositive alkali metals.
The alkali metals are highly reactive, soft, and low-density, suited for applications requiring high chemical activity (ex. batteries).
In contrast, the coinage metals are far less reactive, denser, and more durable, making them ideal for applications requiring stability and conductivity (ex. electronics, jewelry).
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1GrQO43wmjOBtkJbquQ7BRS6e_gOcl-mA/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Alkali Family Compared to Coinage Family Cu, Ag, Au" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1a3ChgUN5qtvJrXv612LDleaPxet1OjA3/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
