Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Alkali Metals and Water

Hexavalent - 14-6-2012 at 09:33

Pretty much everybody says 'The alkali metals are highly reactive with water' or something along those lines.

Couldn't one equally say 'Water is highly reactive with the alkali metals'??

Why does everyone prefer to say the first one?

Mailinmypocket - 14-6-2012 at 10:31

Maybe because it's more common for water for be regarded as "not reactive" and then on the other hand, alkali metals are unusually reactive. So perhaps by saying the metals are highly reactive with water puts a greater emphasis on their reactivity?

I'm not really sure... just a thought. I suppose it doesnt really make a huge difference, but I know I prefer the term "Alkali metals are highly reactive with water"

fledarmus - 14-6-2012 at 10:40

Because when you are trying to handle water, you very rarely think about the possibility of it accidentally spilling on to the omnipresent traces of alkali metals that are laying around everywhere. When you are trying to handle alkali metals, you DO worry about every place it might come into contact with traces of water.

Endimion17 - 14-6-2012 at 12:11

Yes, we could say that. Imagine a laboratory made out of alkali metal alloys filled with dry oxygen, and you, working inside in a chemical suit supplied with a closed breathing system, such as the one used in EVA space suits, to avoid leaking water vapor.

Working with water in such conditions would require lots of precaution and safety measures. Pierce your suit or release one drop of the water on the floor and you're fucked with a fiery dick of corrosive doom.
Quote: Originally posted by fledarmus  
Because when you are trying to handle water, you very rarely think about the possibility of it accidentally spilling on to the omnipresent traces of alkali metals that are laying around everywhere. When you are trying to handle alkali metals, you DO worry about every place it might come into contact with traces of water.

There are not even traces of elementary state alkali metals in nature because the reaction between them and oxygen is not reversible. It proceeds to the products completely.

[Edited on 14-6-2012 by Endimion17]

Eddygp - 18-6-2012 at 01:34

Endimion, I think fledarmus knew that, it was just a joke (I think so, at least). Ummm.