P8+-+Alkali+Metals

The Alkali metals are in dark blue.
= = = Alkali Metals =

Periods 2,3,4,5,6,7 Group 1 Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr). These metals are solids and have closer similarities than any other group in the periodic table. They are soft and silvery in color (a shiny surface that dulls with oxidation) and have a low density and lightweight. They are highly reactive to other substances. When mixed with water, they form alkali solutions. They want to bond even more because they only have one electron which is one away from a full shell causing more reactivity. They are highly combustible and react with almost every substance.

There are many uses for the Alkali Metals, two are that Lithium is used to treat mental illnesses such as depression. Another use for Alkali Metals are that Potassium is in the injection used to kill prisoners on death row.

Three interesting facts about the Alkali Group are that Sodium gives street lights their orange glow. Another cool thing is that Cesium, when disturbed, gives off a sky blue light. Last but not least is that Cesium-137, which is an isotope of cesium, that is radio active, was a major pollutant after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the previous U.S.S.R.

Dingle, Adrian. //The Periodic Table Elements with Style.// Boston: Kingfisher Publications. 2007.

Stone, Becky. Scott, Courtney. Smith, Jessica. Alkali Metals. Carondelet High School. Carondelet High School. Website. October 26, 2009. []

Rader, Andrew. Alkali Metals. Raders Chem4kids. Andrew Rader Studios. 2009. Website. October 26, 2009. []