Give brief explanations on hydroxides of alkali metals.

Oxides of alkali metals are easily hydrolysed by water to form hydroxides.
$M_{2}O + H_{2}O \rightarrow 2 M^{+} + 2 OH^{-}$
$M_{2}O_{2} + 2 H_{2}O \rightarrow 2 M^{+} + 2 OH^{-} + H_{2}O_{2}$
$2 MO_{2} + 2 H_{2}O \rightarrow 2 M^{+} + 2 OH^{-} + H_{2}O_{2} + O_{2}$
The hydroxides obtained by the reaction of these oxides with water are all white crystalline solids.
Alkali metal hydroxides are the strongest of all bases and dissolve freely in water with the evolution of a large amount of heat due to intense hydration.