Physical Properties Of Alkali Metals

Alkali metal elements are mostly silver white metal with metallic luster (cesium with golden yellow color), but when exposed to the air, it will generate oxide film due to the oxidation of oxygen, which will reduce the glossiness, showing gray. The density of alkali metal elements is less than 2g · cm ^ - 3, which is a typical light metal. Lithium, sodium and potassium can float on water, and lithium can even float in kerosene; The crystal structure of alkali metal elements is body centered cubic packing, with small packing density, Mohs hardness less than 2, soft texture, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Alkali metal elements can form alloy (amalgam) with mercury (Hg).