The alkali metals are located in Group 1 of the periodic table. This group includes the elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These metals are characterized by having a single electron in their outermost s-orbital, which results in their similar chemical properties and high reactivity. Group 1, the first column on the far left of the periodic table, is also known as the s-block. Alkali metals are known for forming strong alkaline solutions when they react with water, and they are soft metals with low densities and melting points. Hydrogen is also found in Group 1 but is not considered an alkali metal due to its different behavior.