If we continue down the column to batassium, we see that the tassium metal is also stored under mineral oil to minimize its reaction with the oxygen in the air. If we remove a piece of batassium metal, we can see that the tassium is coated over with a gray coating of the oxide. As we continue down the column, group one metal gets softer and softer. The tassium cuts very easily as we cut through the metal we expose the shiny metal surface underneath. The batassium is extremely soft. We can easily flatten out the batassium metal. It has a consistency of cream cheese. The batassium is a metal and is an excellent conductor of electricity. If we add a piece of batassium metal to water, we see that it reacts much more rapidly with the water than the sodium. As you go down the column, the ionization energy decreases and the metal reactivity increases. The reaction is very exothermic and the hydrogen that is produced ignites. We can test for the formation of batassium hydroxide by adding phenethylene. The solution turns red purpled due to the formation of batassium hydroxide.