Alkaline metals are a group of chemical elements found in group 1 of the periodic table. This group includes elements like lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. They are known for being highly reactive, especially with water, and they tend to form strong alkaline solutions when they react. These metals have low melting and boiling points compared to most other metals. They are typically soft and can be cut with a knife. Due to their reactivity, alkaline metals are usually stored in oil to prevent them from reacting with moisture in the air.