Alkali & alkaline earth metals

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Overview: Chemistry and Physics Background

Part 1. Alkali Metals

Introduction to Alkali Metals

The Discovery and Naming of Alkali Metals

1. Lithium

The Astrophysics of Lithium

The Chemistry of Lithium

Fuel for Fusion

Lithium and Bipolar Disorder

How Lithium Can Alleviate Excess CO 2

Technology and Current Uses of Lithium

2. Sodium

The Astrophysics of Sodium

The Chemistry of Sodium

The Physics of Sodium Vapor Lamps

Sodium and Health

Technology and Current Uses of Sodium

3. Potassium

The Astrophysics of Potassium

Potassium on Earth

The Chemistry of Potassium

Potassium-Argon Dating

Potassium and Health

Technology and Current Uses of Potassium

4. Rubidium, Cesium, and Francium

The Astrophysics of Heavy Alkali Metals

The Chemistry of Rubidium and Cesium

Cesium and Atomic Clocks

The Human Body: No Place for These Elements

Rubidium and Laser-Cooling

Technology and Current Uses of Rubidium and Cesium

Part 2. Alkaline Earth Metals

Introduction to Alkaline Earth Metals

The Discovery and Naming of Alkaline Earth Metals

5. Beryllium

The Astrophysics of Beryllium

Beryllium on Earth

The Chemistry of Beryllium

Reducing the Critical Mass in Nuclear Weapons

Beryllium Is Important in Particle Accelerators

Technology and Current Uses of Beryllium

6. Magnesium

The Astrophysics of Magnesium

Magnesium on Earth

The Chemistry of Magnesium

Magnesium-Diboride Superconductors

The Heart of Chlorophyll

Technology and Current Uses of Magnesium

7. Calcium

The Astrophysics of Calcium

Calcium on Earth

The Chemistry of Calcium

In Mortar and Bones

Calcium Imaging of the Brain

Technology and Current Uses of Calcium

8. Strontium and Barium

The Astrophysics of Strontium and Barium

Strontium and Barium on Earth

The Chemistry of Strontium and Barium

A Material Harder than Diamond

Technology and Current Uses of Strontium and Barium

9. Radium

Radium on Earth

The Discovery and Naming of Radium

The Chemistry of Radium

Radium Hot Springs

Radioluminescence and the Paint That Kills

Radiopharmaceuticals-A Good Use of Radioactivity

Technology and Current Uses of Radium

10. Conclusions and Future Directions

Understanding Patterns and Properties in the Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals

Speculations on Further Developments

New Physics

New Chemistry

SI Units and Conversions

List of Acronyms

Periodic Table of the Elements

Table of Element Categories

Chronology

Glossary

Further Resources

Index