– Metal piece darts about quickly around the surface of the water

– Effervescence observed (due to hydrogen gas produced in water)

– Hissing sound heard (due to the vigorous release of hydrogen gas)

– Metal piece becomes smaller in size

– Flame observed (for some metals)

– Lithium (no flame)

– Sodium (yellow flame)

– Potassium (lilac flame)

– pH of solution increases from pH7 to pH14 (due to the formation of a strong alkali)