ALKALI METALS
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Written by tom
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Sunday, 09 March 2008 |
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A name given to lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, strontium, cesium, calcium, and barium because of the basic reaction of their oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates.
Carbonates of these metals are called fixed alkalies. The metals show a gradation in properties and increase in chemical activity with increase in atomic weights. All are silvery white and very soft. They tarnish rapidly in the air and decompose water at ordinary temperatures. In the alkali metals the electron bonding is so weak that even the impact of light rays knocks electrons free. All have remarkable affinity for oxygen. Rubidium and cesium ignite spontaneously in dry oxygen. Calcium, strontium, and barium are also called earth metals. Thin films of the alkali metals are transparent to ultraviolet but opaque to visible light.
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Material detail
