QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 29 



METALS OF THE ALKALIES 



Name three important elements of the alkali group of metals. 



Potassium, sodium, lithium. 



Name three important potassium salts. Give in regard to each salt 

 named: (a) its formula, (b) its principal uses in medicine. 



Potassium chlorate, KCIO3, antiseptic, refrigerant, sialogogue, 

 and diuretic. 



Potassium nitrate, KNO3, diuretic and antipjTetic. 



Potassium bicarbonate, KHCO3, antacid and sedative in gastric 

 disorders. 



Name five sodium salts used in medicine and write the chemical formula 

 of each. 

 Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO^ ; sodium chloride, NaCl ; sodium 

 sulphate, Na2SO4,10H2O ; sodium phosphate, Na2HP04,12H30 ; 

 sodium carbonate, NaaCOsjlOHjO. 



Describe the chemical action of liquid caustics on the tissues of the 

 body. 



The liquid caustics (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) 

 have a great affinity for water and in abstracting same from the 

 tissues, a great amount of heat is produced, which coagulates the 

 albumin. 



Mention the metals of the sodium group and describe the process of 

 manufacturing sodium carbonate. 



Potassium, sodium, lithium, rubidium and cesium. 



The Solvay process for manufacturing sodium carbonate depends 

 upon the fact that when carbon dioxide is passed into a solution of 

 common salt, in aqueous ammonia, sodium bicarbonate is formed, 

 thus: 



NH3 + CO2 + NaCl + H^O = NaHCOg + NH.Cl. 



The bicarbonate of soda (NaHCOa), being slightly soluble, is 

 deposited in large quantities and is converted into ordinary car- 

 bonate by heating. 



CALCIUM GEOUP 



Name the elements of the calcium group and give their general chzurac- 

 teristics. 



Magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. They are 

 alkaline in character and form oxides and salts whose properties 

 somewhat resemble the metals of the alkalies. They are white in 

 color and fusible only above a red heat; all oxidize readily in the 

 air; all are malleable and ductile. 



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