| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Rubidium is a member of the alkali metal family. Each of these metals is very reactive, and the reactivity increases as one goes from lithium (Li) to sodium (Na) to potassium (K) to rubidium (Rb) and finally at cesium (Cs). (See the Electronic Period Table of the Elements for details..)
Cesium is the most reactive, and rubudium is the second most reactive.
They each react with water to form hydrogen gas and to release a fair amount of heat in the process.
The chemical equation for the reaction is 2Rb + 2H20 ----> 2RbOH + H2
When the hot hydrogen gas encounters the oxygen in the atmosphere, the hydrogen burns to form water.
This reaction also releases more heat.
At this stage, it is the hydrogen, not the rubidium, that burns.
It is also probable that when the metal gets hot enough it can react directly with the oxygen in the air (if the rubidium is at the surface of the water) and then the metal would be burning.
The equation for this reaction would be: 4Rb + O2 ----> 2Rb2O .
I hope that this answers your question. If you need more help cntact the network or me directly:
Jerry Franzen Thomas More College 333 Thomas More Parkway Crestview Hills, KY 41017 franzenj@thomasmore.edu
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.