Elementary Productions: Alkali Metals

hehe...don't get your hopes up :P

Can't wait to see some Rubidium or Caesium XD

What sodium lamps use is a sodium amalgam, and sodium is the cheapest alkali metal because it is obtained from table salt (NaCl) and as we know NaCl is very abundant.

Well OK...I'll take that one ;)

If you have a basic understanding in engineering, it shouldn't be problem! I have sent you a link on PM.

Plus, what do you really need a down's cell for?>

one would need a downs cell to produce anhydrous versions of most of the chemical compounds you had bottled up so conviniently... Also, it can't be that difficult to DIY one?

Well...the answer is quite simple: It is a LOT of work. There are too many components I don't have, such as a powerful enough power supply. Plus, what do you really need a down's cell for? I agree, it is very cool, but its use is actually rather limited. But hey, track down some blueprints and buil it yourself :)

why don't you show us how to make a downs cell.

Awesome video. You could have showed how fast Lithium oxides if left out of the oil ;D

Anyway, it's fantastic. <3 Alkali Metals ;D

You could at least get sodium from sodium lamps. They are used in street lamps and even home users can buy them. Warning, I've been told some mercury is added to the sodium.

Because the Sodium sticks to the paper, concentrating heat on one place. Or else it just skims around the surface...=)
Funny, you're the first guy to ask! :)

why does paper help sodium to ignite?

Lithium is one of the hardest to get, it's even more expensive than sodium.

If only we could get these elemnts in AUS even lithum is hard to get.cool demonstation

I'm not sure that that kid is going to do any good with the chemicals.

Thank you for noticing! That is a mistake made by me! What I meant to say was that the Lithium is the lightest of all metals, and obviously not the lightest of all elements, which is Hydrogen! =)