Alkali metals

Arabic "al kalja" for soda ash (sodium carbonate) from the ashes of waterplants or potash (potassium carbonate) from the ashes of landplants.

Lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and rubidium are alkali metals. These elements are easily loosing an electron forming positively charged ions (one positive charge). When the electron is transferred to water (in a violent reaction), molecular hydrogen (H₂) and hydroxid ions are formed.