Group IA: The Alkali Metals Quiz

Group IA: The Alkali Metals

• Discovered by Sir Humphry Davy through electrolysis of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
• Abundant in nature as sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as rock salt
• Univalent, with a +1 charge
• Soft, waxy metals with high metallic luster
• Low specific gravity and melting point
• Alkali salts dissolve freely in water
• Form simple cations
• Most active and electro-positive metals
• Easily oxidized in air, requiring storage under mineral oil
• Oxides and hydroxides are strongly basic

Sodium (Na)

• Derived from "Natrium" from Niter
• Bright golden yellow flame
• Predominant cation in extracellular fluid (ECF)
• Follows the "PISO" rule: Potassium inside, Sodium outside

Lithium (Li)

• "Lithos" meaning stone
• Lightest metal
• Carmine red flame
• Former ingredient in 7Up, used as a hangover cure, but removed due to adverse effects
• Central nervous system depressant
• Lithium toxicity can lead to nephrotoxicity (kidney damage)

Sodium Hydroxide (Sodii Hydroxidum)

• Caustic soda
• Highly deliquescent - absorbs moisture from air and liquefies
• Escharotic - corrosive to tissue
• Used in soap preparations

Sodium Chloride (Sodii Chloridum)

• Rock salt
• Electrolyte replenishment
• Renders solutions isotonic - used in prescription "flat isotonic collyrium"
• Parenteral administration - directly into the bloodstream

Sodium Acetate (Sodii Acetas)

• Diuretic
• Treatment for cystitis and UTI

Sodium Carbonate

• Anhydrous form - soda ash, used in buffer preparations to resist pH changes
• Decahydrate form - sal soda, washing soda, used in lotion preparations

Sodium Bicarbonate (Sodii Bicarbonate)

• Baking soda
• Antacid, but misuse can lead to rebound acidity
• Urinary alkalizer, increases pH

Sodium Nitrate

• Smooth muscle relaxant, slow onset, for angina pectoris
• Treatment for cyanide poisoning

Sodium Citrate (Sodii Citras)

• Oral: alkalinizer, diuretic
• Parenteral: anticoagulant, prevents blood clots

Sodium Phosphate (Sodii Phospas)

• Disodium hydrogen phosphate (dibasic sodium phosphate)
• Saline laxative, promotes defecation
• Cathartic, promotes defecation through colon evacuation

Sodium Biphosphate

• Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (monobasic sodium phosphate)
• Urinary acidifier

Sodium Thiocyanate (Sodii Thiocyanas)

• Antihypertensive

Seidlitz Powders

• Blue paper contains sodium bicarbonate and potassium sodium tartrate
• White paper contains tartaric acid
• Reaction produces CO2 (effervescence) improving palatability
• Mild laxative

Soda Mint

• Sodium bicarbonate and aromatic ammonia
• Carminative - relieves flatulence
• Antacid

Soda Lime (Calx Sodica)

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Alkali Metals - Group IA

• Alkali metals are univalent and have a +1 charge
• They are soft, waxy, and have high metallic luster
• They have low specific gravity and low melting points
• Alkali salts are freely soluble in water
• They are the most active and electro-positive metals
• Easily oxidized in air and are best stored under mineral oil
• Their oxides and hydroxides are strongly basic

Sodium (Na)

• Derived from "Natrium" from Niter
• Discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy through electrolysis of NaOH (Caustic Soda)
• Abundant in nature in the form of NaCl (Rock Salt)
• Emits a bright golden yellow color in a non-luminous flame
• Predominant cation in ECF (extracellular fluid)
• PISO Principle: Potassium Inside, Sodium Outside

Lithium (Li)

• "Lithos" means stone
• Lightest metal
• Emits a carmine red color in a non-luminous flame
• Used to be an ingredient in 7Up as lithium citrate (claimed to cure hangovers) but was removed after patient deaths
• Central Nervous System Depressant
• Lithium Toxicity can lead to nephrotoxicity (kidney damage)

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

• Commonly known as Caustic Soda
• Very deliquescent: absorbs moisture from the air and liquifies
• Escharotic: corrosive to tissue
• Used in soap preparations

Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

• Commonly known as Rock Salt
• Used for electrolyte replenishment
• Renders solutions isotonic: used in flat, isotonic collyrium eye drops
• Parenteral: administered into the bloodstream

Sodium Acetate (NaC2H3O2)

• Diuretic: promotes urination
• Treatment for Cystitis (bladder infection) and UTI (urinary tract infection)

Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)

• Anhydrous form is known as soda ash
• Used in buffer preparations to resist pH changes
• Decahydrate form is known as sal soda or washing soda
• Used in lotions

Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)

• Commonly known as Baking Soda
• Antacid: neutralizes stomach acid (misuse can cause "rebound acidity")
• Urinary alkalizer: increases urine pH, making it more basic

Sodium Nitrate (NaNO3)

• Smooth muscle relaxant (slow onset) used for angina pectoris (chest pain due to heart problems)
• Treatment for Cyanide Poisoning

Sodium Citrate (Na3C6H5O7)

• Oral: alkalinizer, diuretic
• Parenteral: anticoagulant (prevents blood clots)

Sodium Phosphate (Na3PO4)

• Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4)
• Dibasic sodium phosphate
• Saline laxative: promotes defecation
• Cathartic: promotes defecation via evacuation of the entire colon

Sodium Biphosphate (NaH2PO4)

• Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
• Monobasic sodium phosphate
• Urinary acidifier: lowers urine pH

Sodium Thiocyanate (NaSCN)

• Antihypertensive: lowers blood pressure

Seidlitz Powders

• Contains blue paper (sodium bicarbonate and potassium sodium tartrate) and white paper (tartaric acid)
• Reaction produces CO2 (effervescence), improving palatability
• Mild laxative

Soda Mint

• Contains sodium bicarbonate and aromatic ammonia
• Carminative: relieves flatulence
• Antacid

Soda Lime

• ...