My OperaApplication of Group 1 Metals
Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:45:14 PM
You have been given so many information about these Alkali, Halogens and transition metals, of course they are not worthy to be mentioned if they do not have any functions in our life.
So... Let's find out more about these elements' real life application,[/COLOR][/SIZE]
First come first serve- Here we go - Alkali's application
So... Let's find out more about these elements' real life application,[/COLOR][/SIZE]
First come first serve- Here we go - Alkali's application
[The alkali metals are the elements that make up Group 1 of the periodic table: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. These elements are all much too active to exist in nature in their native state. However, they do form a number of important compounds, such as table salt (sodium chloride), borax (sodium tetraborate), potash (potassium carbonate), and washing soda (sodium carbonate).
The alkali metals are so reactive they cannot be displaced by another element, so are isolated by electrolysis of their molten salts.
The usual method for detecting compounds of the alkali metals is with a flame test. A platinum wire is dipped into a solution of the unknown compound and then placed into a hot flame. The color produced is characteristic of the alkali metal present. The lithium flame is bright red; sodium, yellow; potassium, violet; rubidium, dark red; and cesium, blue.
The compounds of lithium, sodium, and rubidium have a number of important practical applications, while the remaining alkali metals have only a limited number of uses.
Lithium
- exists in small amounts in Earth's surface, usually in association with compounds of aluminum.
- The compound of lithium(in the form of lithium carbonate) can be use as controlling certain mental disorders..
- Lithium is also used industrially in lubricants, batteries, glass, and alloys (mixtures of metals) with lead, aluminum, and magnesium.
Sodium
- seventh most abundant element in Earth's surface.
- occurs commonly in Earth's oceans in the form of sodium chloride and in crustal rocks as sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium nitrate, sodium sulfate, and sodium borate.
- Compounds of sodium are among the most important in all of the chemical industry. Sodium chloride, as table salt, can serve as a raw material in the production of other chemicals. Sodium nitrite is a principle ingredient in gunpowder. The pulp and paper industry uses large amounts of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate; the latter is utilized in the production of cardboard and brown paper. Sodium carbonate is used by power companies to absorb sulfur dioxide.
- Sodium also plays some important roles in living organisms. It regulates nerve transmission, alters cell membrane permeability, and performs many other tasks necessary for maintaining life.
potassium
- Almost all the potassium used industrially goes into fertilizer.
- Other important compounds of potassium include potassium hydroxide, used in the manufacture of detergents; potassium chlorate, used for the production of explosives; and potassium bromide, an essential chemical in photography. Like sodium, potassium is a vital nutrient for organisms in a variety of ways.
Rubidium& cesium
- Rubidium is employed primarily in various kinds of chemical research. One of its compounds has been used to treat patients with depression.
- Cesium compounds are used to make glass and radiation detection equipment.
Francium
- radioactive element .
