How many valence electrons do Group 1 elements have?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Elements in Group 1 of the periodic table have one valence electron in their outermost shell.123

This single, loosely bound electron is responsible for the characteristic chemical properties of the alkali metals, such as their high reactivity and their tendency to form singly charged positive ions. While hydrogen is also located in Group 1 and possesses one electron in its outermost shell, it is a unique element that does not share the metallic properties of the alkali metals.23415