The table below gives information about some lithium salts.
| Lithium salt | Formula | Solubility in water | Safety hazard / Corrosiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium chloride | LiClLiClLiCl | highly soluble | low toxicity / non-corrosive |
| lithium nitrate | highly soluble | oxidising agent | |
| lithium carbonate | Li2CO3Li_2CO_3Li2CO3 | slightly soluble | mild irritant |
| lithium sulfate | highly soluble | low toxicity |
Complete the table by giving the chemical formula of lithium nitrate and of lithium sulfate.
The human stomach contains hydrochloric acid. Suggest why lithium carbonate, which is only slightly soluble in pure water, can still readily dissolve in the stomach to release lithium ions into the bloodstream.
Lithium carbonate is a widely used psychiatric medication, but lithium nitrate is never used for medical treatment. Using the information in the table, explain why lithium carbonate is preferred over lithium nitrate.
A student accidentally spilled a small amount of concentrated lithium hydroxide solution, LiOHLiOHLiOH, which is highly corrosive, onto their skin.
Suggest why washing the area with a dilute solution of citric acid (a weak acid) is an effective first-aid treatment, and write a word equation for the reaction that occurs.
The table below shows some properties of the first five elements in Group 1 (the alkali metals) of the Periodic Table.
| Element | Atomic number | Reaction with cold water | Reaction with air |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium | 3 | reacts steadily | burns when heated |
| sodium | 11 | reacts rapidly | burns easily when heated |
| potassium | 19 | reacts violently | reacts rapidly at room temperature |
| rubidium | 37 | reacts explosively | ignites spontaneously at room temperature |
| caesium | 55 | reacts extremely explosively / shatters container | ignites instantly at room temperature |
Use the information in the table to help you answer the following questions:
Suggest how francium (atomic number 87) reacts with cold water and with air.
Use your answer to (i) to suggest how francium should be safely stored.
State the relationship between the atomic number and the reactivity of the Group 1 elements.
