Research for alkali metals

 Alkali metals are soft and shiny with low melting points. Alkali metals
react with air and moisture due to their reactivity; special precautions
must be taken when using or storing these metals.

 Examples of alkali metals are lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and

cesium.

 Alkali metals react with water to produce heat, hydrogen gas, and metal
hydroxide. The heat produced by this reaction results in a fire explosion.

 The heavier alkali metals like rubidium and cesium will spontaneously
ignite when exposed to air at room temperature.

 To minimize contact with oxygen and water, alkali metals must be stored
in an airtight container under mineral oil or under an inert gas, such as
argon.

 The uses of alkali metals are lithium batteries They can also be used for
lubricating greases and air purification. The use of pure sodium in
sodium-vapor lamps provides highly efficient light.

 Alkali metals have only a single electron in their valence shell which can
be easily transferred thus alkali metals are soft in nature. The metallic
bonding between the atoms in alkali metals is weak so they have weak
binding energy in their lattice structure.