Storage method of alkali and alkaline earth metals | Detailed Explanation

Have you heard of alkali metals and alkali earth metals? If you check the chemical elements table, you will find out that alkali metals refer to francium, potassium, lithium,  rubidium, sodium, and cesium. While calcium, strontium, beryllium, radium, magnesium, and barium are alkaline earth metals.

There is very little content of alkali metals in the natural world, you can only find them in the salt lakes and also in the seawater. On the other hand, there are rich amounts of alkaline earth metals in the natural world. Most of them can be found in the rocks.

Some alkali metals, like sodium, can help people maintain normal physiological functions in living organisms. And people apply alkali metals to produce batteries, optoelectronics, and nuclear reactions. For example, lithium-ion batteries have become the preferred power source for electronic equipment and new energy vehicles because they have a much longer lifespan.

Alkaline earth metals are applied to materials of construction, agriculture and other fields. For example, Magnesium compound laxatives are the main component of bath salts and can also be used to solve the problem of soil magnesium deficiency.

How to store alkali and alkaline earth metals?

Alkali and alkaline earth metals are both very important metals and because of their special chemical properties, they require high preservation requirements and related methods.

Storage methods for alkali metals

1. It should be stored in dry air to ensure its protection from oxidation and magnetic effects. Oxidation can cause discoloration of the metal surface, formation of oxides can damage the appearance and properties of the metal. Therefore, it is important to ensure that it is stored in dry air.

2. It cannot be immersed in water for a long time because water can cause metal oxidation and damage its appearance and performance. If it must be stored in water, then the pH value of the water should be between 6.5 and 7.5.

3. It cannot be exposed to air for a long time because high oxidation air can cause oxidation and discoloration of its surface, and seriously reduce its strength.

4. It cannot be used to store acidic substances, because acidic substances can cause oxidation on its surface, and destroy its appearance and performance.

5. Besides the above principles, the packaging should also be done well. It’s better to place it in a container with a lid and seal it to prevent alkali metals from being damaged by external environments such as dust and moisture.

Storage methods for alkaline earth metals

1.You must take strict safety measures when dealing with alkaline earth metals. You should wear appropriate protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing. During the operation, you should avoid contact with moisture and oxygen in the air, because their reaction with water and oxygen will release flammable hydrogen gas and produce a strong alkaline solution.

2. It requires special containers and environments for storage. They should be stored in a sealed container to prevent reaction with moisture and oxygen in the air. You should place the containers in a dry and well-ventilated place, and keep them away from sources of fire and flammable materials. What’s more, different types of alkaline earth metals should be stored separately to avoid cross-reactions.

3. You should follow specific processing procedures and standards when handling and storing alkaline earth metals. You should receive relevant training on how to properly handle these chemicals and the measures you should take in emergency situations. What’s more, the condition of storage facilities should be regularly checked to ensure the integrity and sealing of containers, and to prevent leaks and accidents.

4. When handling and storing alkaline earth metals, you should also follow the local laws, regulations, and safety standards to ensure the legality and safety of the operation. Besides, it is also necessary to regularly update knowledge, and understand the latest safety handling and storage methods, so that you can continuously improve safety awareness and emergency response capabilities.

Conclusion

This article mainly talks about alkali and alkaline earth metals: the chemical elements they have, their content in nature, their main applications, and storage methods. Is there any other information you want to learn about alkali and alkaline earth metals? We will share with you more knowledge next time!