Question
Find out the s block elements compounds importance/uses.

Answer

$2$. Uses of s-block elements:
Group $1$ elements $($alkali metals$):$
a. Lithium: Lithium is widely used in batteries.
b. Sodium:
  • Liquid sodium metal is used as a coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors.
  • Sodium is also used as an important reagent in the Wurtz reaction.
  • It is used in the manufacture of sodium vapour lamp.
c. Potassium:
  • Potassium has a vital role in biological system.
  • Potassium chloride $(KCl)$ is used as a fertilizer.
  • Potassium hydroxide $(KOH)$ is used in the manufacture of soft soaps and also as an excellent absorbent of carbon dioxide.
  • Potassium superoxide $(KO_2)$ is used as a source of oxygen.
d. Caesium: Caesium is used in devising photoelectric cells.
Group $2$ elements (alkaline earth metals):
a. Magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide $[Mg(OH)_2]$ in its suspension form is used as an antacid.
b. Calcium: Compounds of calcium such as limestone and gypsum are used as constituents of cement and mortar.
c. Barium: $BaSO_4$_ being insoluble in $H_2O$ and opaque to $X-$rays is used as ‘barium meal’ to scan the $X-$ray of human digestive system.
[Note: Students are expected to collect additional information about preparation of dihydrogen and uses of s-block elements on their own.]

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