Electronic configuration of IA group elements
The outer shell electronic configuration of IA group elements is ns1.
The alkali metals are the elements located in IA Group of the periodic table. They are Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr). They are named as Alkali metals because when they are reacted with water they form strong bases called alkalies.
These elements are placed in S–block in the periodic table, as the differentiating or outermost electron is present in s–orbital. Alkali metals are all shiny,light, soft and highly reactive metals.
The alkali metals do not occur naturally in pure form in nature due their high reactivity. They react readily with oxygen and silica forming minerals which remain close to the earth surface.
Lithium battery
Occurrence and uses
Lithium is 35th most abundant element by mass. The most common ores of lithium are spodumene,
petalite, and lepidolite. It is also obtained from saltwater as LiCl.
Lithium is used in making synthetic rubber, greases, lubricants, batteries, in glass industries, ceramics and in alloys of lead, aluminum and magnesium to make them less dense and stronger. Lithium carbonate or lithium citrate used in medicine to treat gout and mental illness.
Sodium vapor lamps used as street lights
Sodium is 7th most abundant element (by mass) in the earth crust. Sodium chloride (NaCl) and Potassium Chloride (KCl) occur in sea water. The major source of sodium is rock–salt. Other salts of sodium are, Na2B4O7.10H2O (borax), Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate), Saltpetre (NaNO3) and mirabilite (Na2SO4).
Sodium is frequently used in making light bulbs. Sodium compounds are used in industries producing glass, paper, soap and textiles. Sodium is also used in nuclear power plants as a heat exchange medium. sodium is used as reducing agent in organic reactions. A Human diet should contain a minimum of 500 mg of sodium per day.
Potassium acts as an oxidant in fireworks, makes them explode fast. potassium gives fireworks a
purple–pink color.
Potassium is the 8th most abundant element (by mass) in the earth crust.
Potassium ores occur as Sylvite (KCl), Silvinite (NaCl.KCl), Carnallite (KCl.MgCl2.6H20).
Potassium compounds are used in making fertilizer, fuel cells, batteries, specialized glasses , ceremics, detergents,
explosives and in photography industry.
Atomic clocks
Atomic clocks are the most accurate time and frequency standards known and are used as primary standards
for international time distribution services, to control the wave frequency of television broadcasts and in global navigation
satellite systems such as GPS.
Rubidium and Cesium are obtained as by–products during the extraction of lithium.
Rubidium is the 23rd most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It occurs in the minerals
pollucite, carnallite, leucite and lepidolite. Potassium minerals and brines also contain this minerals.
Rubidium is used mostly in research. Rubidium is used in atomic clocks, photocells, in vacuum tubes to remove trace gases
and as working fluid in vapor turbines. Rubidium–87 is slightly radioactive and has been used extensively in dating rocks.
Rubidium salts are used in glasses and ceramics. Rubidium compounds are also used in fire works and in thermal electric
generators. Rubidium chloride is used in biochemistry as bio marker to locate tumors.
Cesium metal obtained from its ore and Uranium ore
Cesium is found in the minerals pollucite and lepidolite. The abundance of cesium in the
Earth's crust has been estimated at about 1 to 3 parts per million.
Cesium is used in atomic clocks, which are incredibly accurate. In industry, radioactive cesium is used in instruments that
measure thickness, moisture, and liquid flow. Non–radioactive cesium is used in treating cancer and depression .Cesium
is also used in photoelectric cells and as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of organic compounds. The metal is used as a '
getter' in vacuum tubes.
Francium occurs in very low concentrations in Uranium ore as the result of alpha decay of
Actinium. Francium is not extracted from the Earth's crust.
It is used exclusively only for pure research. Francium is a unstable, radioactive metal with a maximum half–life of
only 22 minute.
Alkali metals have an oxidation state of +1 and are good conductors of heat and electricity.