Groups 1 and 2

This chapter covers the nonradioactive elements of Group 1 (H to Cs), known as the alkali metals, and Group 2 (Be to Ba), known as the alkaline earth metals. Many properties of these elements are presented in tables. There is extensive coverage of the natural sources and preparations of these elements, their structures, properties, and uses. The binary compounds with oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen are described in detail. The coverage of these topics includes references published through to mid-2021.