Alkali Metals
By: Ellie Allen
What are Alkali Metals?
The Alkali Metals are Group 1 in the periodic table. Which means they all have one electron in their outer energy level. Thus making them ready to lose that electron in ionic bonding. They are highly reactive. These elements do not occur in nature. Just like all metals the Alkali Metals are very malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. However, these metals are much softer than most of the other metals. Alkali Metals will explode when they are put in water.
Uses of Alkali Metals
Lithium
It was discovered in 1817 by J. A. Arfvedson. It is the smallest of the Alkali metals. It's melting point is 356.9 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's boiling point is 2,457 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be used in lubricants, batteries, in glass industries, and in alloys of lead, aluminum, and magnesium.
Sodium
Humprhy Davy was the first to discover sodium in 1807. It occurs naturally in compound form, largely in the in Earth's crust. It has a melting point of 208 degrees Fahrenheit and a boiling point of 1,621.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Sodium compounds can be used in gunpowder, in the pulp and paper industry, in power companies, in glass and detergent industries, sometimes used in foods and to soften water, and the food industry in things like baking soda.
Potassium
Potassium was also found by Humprhy Davy in 1807. It has a melting point of 145.9 degrees Fahrenheit and a boiling point of 1,398.2 degrees Fahrenheit. It's compounds are used in fertilizer, detergent, explosives, and photography industries.
Rubidium
R. W. Bunsen and G.R. Kirchoff were the first to discover Rubidium in 1860. It has a melting point of 102.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a boiling point of 1,270.4 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no uses for Rubidium other than for research purposes.
Cesium
Cesium was also discovered by R.W. Bunsen and G.R. Kirchoff in 1861. it has a melting point of 83.12 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a boiling point of 1,239.8 degrees Fahrenheit. It is used in special glasses and radiation detection equipment.
Francium
Marguerite Perey discovered Francium in 1939. It is very radiosctive and is used purely for research. It rarely occurs naturally. When it does it is sometimes present in uranium ores. Francium is extremely rare.
Alkali Metals Characterstics
- Like all metals they are shiny
- Soft enough to cut with a knife
- Most of them are white
- React with hydrogen gas and the metal hydroxide
- React with oxygen
- Form ions with positive one charge
- Each alkali metal glows with there own color when placed in a flame. Lithium is red, sodium is yellow, potassium is violet, rubidium is dark red, and cesium is blue.