Alkali metals show-

Options

A. Only `+1` oxidation state
B. Only `-1` oxidation state
C. `+1` and `+2` oxidation states
D. `-1` and `-2` oxidation states

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Alkali Metals**:
- Alkali metals are found in Group 1 of the periodic table. They include lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).

2. **Electronic Configuration**:
- The general electronic configuration of alkali metals is \( ns^1 \). This means they have one electron in their outermost shell.

3. **Ion Formation**:
- Alkali metals tend to lose this one outermost electron to achieve a stable electronic configuration, similar to that of noble gases. When they lose one electron, they form a cation with a charge of +1, represented as \( M^+ \).

4. **Oxidation State**:
- The oxidation state of an element is a measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound. Since alkali metals lose one electron, their common oxidation state is +1.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the above points, we conclude that alkali metals show an oxidation state of +1.

### Final Answer:
- The correct option is **A**: Alkali metals show an oxidation state of +1.

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