Why are the elements of group IA called alkali metals?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 14, 2017

I think this refers to an Arabic root word.........

Explanation:

....al-quily meaning the ashes, potash.

And of course we commonly find the hydroxides of the alkali metals from extracting the ashes of a fire with water - hence potash, i.e. potasshium........

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