![]() The Greek word lithos derived lithium, meaning stone, and Davy created a minimal amount by electrolysing lithium chloride. Johan August Arfwedson, a Swedish scientist, discovered lithium in 1817 while studying petalite. ![]() The word sodium derives from the Italian soda, used in the Middle Ages for all alkalies. Aqueous solutions of wood ashes are aqueous sodium solutions. Sir Humphry Davy, an English scientist, discovered potassium and sodium in 1807. The invention of the component of gunpowder, saltpetre (potassium nitrate), in China in the 9th century and introduced in Europe by the 13th century. Neter (sodium carbonate) is a salt manufactured from vegetable ash and mentioned in the Old Testament. Cesium metal vapour is in atomic clocks, which are precise time standards. Cameras, mobile phones, and pacemakers use primary lithium batteries (non-rechargeable), and rechargeable lithium storage batteries for vehicles or energy storage are a hot research topic. The development of lightweight batteries is an important use of lithium. Lithium is in light metal alloys and as organic synthesis. The production of fertilisers, however, requires large quantities of potassium salts. Potassium is a less useful free metal than sodium. We use hundreds of thousands of tonnes of sodium compounds every year, including baking soda ( NaHCO 3), sodium carbonate ( Na 2 CO 3), salt (NaCl), and caustic soda (NaOH). Some nuclear reactors use it as a free metal heat transfer fluid. Sodium is the most important alkali metal in industrial application, and the metal reduces organic compounds and prepares several commercial compounds. Alkali metal alloys may melt at −78 ☌ (−109 ☏). Lithium is the smallest metal, and lithium has a melting point of 179☌ (354☏), whereas cesium has a melting point of 28.5☌ (83.3☏). The metals have ductility, silvery lustre, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Lithium and potassium, in smaller amounts, are also present. Atomic oxygen and ozone react with sodium to form a meteor’s “tail” and a diffuse nightglow. Meteor ablation produces dilute sodium gas. The earth’s crust contains significantly more complex, water-insoluble minerals. Francium is a naturally radioactive isotope discovered in 1939.īecause alkali metals are reactive, usually found in combination with other elements, they generally extract and purify simple minerals like sylvite (KCl), halite (NaCl), and carnallite ( KCl MgCl 2 6H 2 O). About 0.03% of the earth’s crust contains the other alkali elements, such as lithium, rubidium, and cesium. The term alkali metals come from their water reactivity.
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