<P> The alkali metals are a group ( column ) in the periodic table consisting of the chemical elements lithium ( Li ) , sodium ( Na ) , potassium ( K ) , rubidium ( Rb ) , caesium ( Cs ) , and francium ( Fr ) . This group lies in the s - block of the periodic table of elements as all alkali metals have their outermost electron in an s - orbital : this shared electron configuration results in their having very similar characteristic properties . Indeed , the alkali metals provide the best example of group trends in properties in the periodic table , with elements exhibiting well - characterised homologous behaviour . </P>
where are alkali metals located on the periodic table
in the s - block