Australia's Science Forum

Does anyone do a prac comparing the reactions of Sodium, Potassium and Lithium in water?
A new teacher here was surprised we didn't have the Potassium or Lithium....thought it was a common prac.

Potassium is banned in NSW schools and lithium is demo only, so our school is using Na only.
Lada

I don't have potassium either and the small quantity of lithium once used will not be replaced. Lithium is a drug precursor. I do have sodium. Gotta give the kids a little bit of fun. Teacher demo only though. It's hard trying to tell teachers that they can't do certain things particularly if you are not sure what your own role is in the scheme of things. Who knows best - the teacher or the technician. Good solid guidelines for our craft would be useful. Has anyone heard anything more about the Science Assist program?

We do sodium but also have lithium which is used rarely if ever. No potassium though!

Sounds like a Youtube opportunity! Less clean up too!

There is a brilliant you tube clip we often use from Brainiacs. They look at the activity of the alkaline metals and blow up cesium and francium in a bathtub.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55kgyApYrY&feature=kp