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The Conversation USA

Understanding the periodic table through the lens of the volatile Group I metals

  • Written by Erwin Boschmann, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, IUPUI
Sodium metal explodes on contact with water. Albert Russ/Shutterstock.com

The news broke that a railroad car, loaded with pure sodium, had just derailed and was spilling its contents. A television reporter called me for an explanation of why firefighters were not allowed to use water on the flames bursting from the mangled car. While on the air I...

Read more: Understanding the periodic table through the lens of the volatile Group I metals

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