Element Beryllium, Be, Alkaline Earth Metal. Occupies the same position among the alkaline earth metals as lithium does among the alkali metals. Its combining weight is the smallest, and its similarity to the other elements of the group is least. Its properties exhibit a distinct tendency towards the next group, that of the earth metals. The combining weight of beryllium amounts to 9. Besides the typical divalent ion Be. Beryllion forms various salts, of which the chloride, Be. And the sulphate, Be.

Element Calcium, Ca, Alkaline Earth Metal. The element also takes part in the most varied way in the building up of the organisms. Calcium has also been found in meteorites, and by spectral analysis in the sun and fixed stars.

Element Lithium, Li, Alkali Metal. From the compounds of the other alkali metals, those of lithium were distinguished by Arfvedson in 1817. Elementary lithium was first prepared in 1855 by Bunsen and Matthiessen, by the electrolysis of the chloride. Like the other alkali metals, lithium forms a monovalent, colourless ion Li. He also showed that this element is found within the minerals spodumene. By its geochemical properties lithium belongs.

Element Magnesium, Be, Alkaline Earth Metal. Magnesium bears the same relation to calcium as sodium does to potassium. This relation finds expression not only in the values of the combining weights, but also in the similarities to the other members of the group. This is particularly well seen in the fact that magnesium. Is now manufactured in very large amount by electrolysis, and is used for various purposes. It is a white, rather tough metal, which keeps fairly well in the air; it is scarcely attac.

Element Potassium K, Alkali Metal. While the knowledge of some of the potassium. After it had been obtained in this way, the method of preparing it by purely chemical means was soon discovered, a method which was for long the only one employed. The most important of these reactions is the heating of potassium carbonate with charcoal; carbon monoxide and metallic potassium. Are formed, the latter of which volatilises and is condensed under rock oil - K. It is a constituent of the waters of.