Alkali Metals

By: Rachel, Brittany, Tweeze and Rhiannon

Address—Group oneFamily Members—Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, FrCommon Family Characteristics—slivery

look

Lithium

Li

Parent—Johann Artvedson

Birth Place—Sweden Birth Date—1817 Gender—Metal

Physical Description

3 Protons 3 electrons4 neutronsDensity- 0.534 g/cm3

Boiling point- 1342oC

Melting point-180.50oC

Specific heat-3.489JThermal conductivity-84.8W

Chemical Description

Valence #-1Ion-+1Oxidation #-+1reactivity- 3 compounds- 1. Lithium Hydroxide 2.

Lithium Stearate 3. Lithium Carbonate

Attributes

(+)—Heat transfer applications, useful for batteries, has medical applications and can be used for lubricants.

Sodium

Na

Parent—Sir Humphrey DavyBirth Place—EnglandBirth Date—1807Gender—Metal

Physical Description

11 protons11 electrons12 neutronsDensity-0.971g/cm3

Boiling point-882.9oCmelting point-97.81oCSpecific heat-1.222JThermal conductivity-142W

Attributes

(+)—Animal nutrition, glass, soap, textile, chemical, etc.

Potassium

K

Parent—Sir Humphrey DavyBirthplace—GermanyBirth date—October 6, 1807Gender--Metal

Physical Description

19 protons20 neutrons19 electronsDensity—0.862g/cmBoiling point—770oCMelting point—63oCOxidation #--1Valence #--1

Rubidium

Rb

Rubidium’s Parents

Robert Bunsen

Gustav Kirchhoff

Discovered Rubidium in 1861 in Germany

Gender and Description

Alkali Metal 37 Protons and Electrons 48 Neutrons Boiling Point: 963 K Melting Point: 312.45 K Specific Heat is 0.363 J Electric Conductivity is 47.8 X 10 ^6 Valence #1 +1 Ion Compounds: RbH (Rubidum Hydroxide), RbCl (Rubidium

Cloride), RbO (Rubidium Oxide)

Positive Attributes

Has been used for dating rocks like in carbon dating

Produces salts used in glass and ceramics

Negative Attributes

Not known to be toxic

Attributes

(+)—Potassium is used for the growth in plants. It helps cells, tissues and organs to function properly.

(-)—Low levels of potassium can cause high blood pressure

Cesium

Cs

Cesium’s Parents

Robert Bunsen

Gustav Kirchhoff

Discovered Cesium in 1860 in Germany

Gender and Description

Alkali Metal 55 Protons and Electrons 78 Neutrons Boiling Point: 963 K Melting Point: 301.6 K Specific Heat is 0.24 J Electric Conductivity is 5.3 X 10 ^6 Valence #1 +1 Ion Compounds: CsOH (Cesium Hydroxide), CsCl (Cesium

Cloride), CsO (Cesium Oxide)

Positive attributes

Used for atomic clocks (very accurate), and is used as a catalyst in hydrating organic compounds

Negative Attributes

Can be very harmful, it is mildly toxic and has to be protected from air and water by keeping it under inert gas/liquid or in a vacuum

Francium

Fr

Parent—MlleBirthplace—FranceBirth date—1939Gender--Metal

Physical Description

87 protons87 electrons136 neutronsDensity—1.873g/cmMelting point—27oCBoiling point—677oCAtomic weight—223gAtomic Radius—270pm(10-12)

Chemical Description

Valence #-1Oxidation #-1Ion-+1

Works Cited

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm

http://www.webelements.com/compounds/lithium http://www.webelements.com/compounds/sodui

m http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/87.html http://enviromentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/F

r.html http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/g

en99578.htm