The video presents a countdown of the 11 lightest metals on Earth, highlighting their low density and unique chemical properties. Starting with scandium, a rare and expensive metal with a density of 3 grams per cubic centimeter, it's used in small amounts to strengthen aluminum alloys for high-end products like sports bicycles. Aluminum is well-known for its low density and high heat and electrical conductivity, leading to widespread use in various industries.
Strontium, lighter than aluminum but highly reactive, is mainly used in compounds for fireworks to produce a bright red color. Cesium, significantly lighter than aluminum, is extremely reactive and stored under inert conditions; it's used in atomic clocks due to its precise properties.
Beryllium stands out for its lightness combined with high rigidity and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for specialized applications despite its toxicity. Magnesium is noted for its lightness and flammability, used in products like camera housings and fire starters.
Rubidium is even rarer and more expensive than cesium with limited applications. Calcium, commonly associated with bones, is a shiny metal that reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide.
Sodium is compared to water in density and is stored in kerosene due to its reactivity. Potassium is lighter than sodium but more reactive, used in applications requiring rapid energy release.
Finally, lithium is the lightest metal with significant use in batteries due to its high electrochemical potential. It's also mentioned that newer batteries are being developed using sodium or calcium ions as alternatives to lithium.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Scandium is a rare earth metal with a density of only 3 grams per cubic centimeter.
2. Scandium is two and a half times less dense than ordinary iron.
3. Scandium shavings easily ignite in air, leaving behind scandium oxide.
4. Scandium oxide has an interesting property called thermotemple zma, where its color changes from yellow to white when heated and cooled.
5. Scandium is very expensive, with a price comparable to precious metals.
6. Scandium is used in small amounts (0.5%) in aluminum alloys to increase their strength.
7. Aluminum has a density similar to granite.
8. Aluminum is less chemically active than scandium and does not ignite from a conventional burner.
9. Aluminum has high heat and electrical conductivity.
10. Strontium has a density 6% less than aluminum.
11. Strontium is a highly chemically active metal that belongs to the group of alkaline earth metals.
12. Strontium can only be stored under a layer of mineral oil to prevent oxidation.
13. Strontium reacts with water to form strontium hydroxide and hydrogen.
14. Cesium is the most active metal on earth that can be obtained in quantities of more than 1 gram.
15. Cesium is 40% lighter than aluminum and 1000 times more chemically active.
16. Cesium can only be stored in glass ampoules in an inert argon gas atmosphere.
17. Cesium melts at the heat of the human body and ignites in air.
18. Beryllium has a density of only 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter.
19. Beryllium has low chemical activity, similar to aluminum.
20. Beryllium has high thermal conductivity, similar to copper.
21. Beryllium is highly rigid and has a high fatigue rate.
22. Magnesium is 6% lighter than beryllium and has a density of 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter.
23. Magnesium is not a soft metal and can be used to make ultra-lightweight housings for electronics.
24. Magnesium shavings burn perfectly in air at a very high temperature.
25. Rubidium has a density 6% less than magnesium and is an alkali metal.
26. Rubidium can only be stored in glass ampoules in an inert atmosphere.
27. Rubidium is highly chemically active and explodes in water.
28. Calcium is an alkaline earth metal that shines in an inert atmosphere.
29. Calcium is 5% lighter than rubidium and has a density of 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
30. Calcium reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen.
31. Sodium is an alkali metal with a density comparable to ordinary water.
32. Sodium is very soft and can be cut with a knife.
33. Sodium reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.
34. Sodium can be set on fire and burns quickly in air.
35. Potassium is an alkali metal with a density 12% lower than sodium.
36. Potassium is highly chemically active and ignites in air.
37. Lithium is the lightest metal on earth, with a density almost half that of water.
38. Lithium is harder than sodium or potassium and difficult to cut with an ordinary knife.
39. Lithium reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.
40. Lithium is used in lithium batteries, where it is found in the form of cobalt from Alicia mixed with other additives.