Question

Write the uses of 

i. alkali metals 

ii. alkaline earth metals

Answer 1

i. Uses of alkali metals:

• Lithium metal is used in long-life batteries used in digital watches, calculators and computers.
• Liquid sodium is used for heat transfer in nuclear power stations.
• Potassium chloride is used as a fertilizer
• Potassium is used in manufacturing potassium superoxide (KO₂) for oxygen generation. It is good absorbent of carbon dioxide.
• Caesium is used in photoelectric cells.

ii. Uses of alkaline earth metals:

• Beryllium is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.
• Alloy of magnesium and aluminium is widely used as structural material and in aircrafts.
• Calcium ions are important ingredient in biological system, essential for healthy growth of bones and teeth.
• Barium sulphate is used in medicine as barium meal for intestinal X-ray.
• Radium is used in radiotherapy for cancer treatment.