A lot of my students seem to think that sodium metal could be good for a practical joke. One person was caught putting some in a drinking fountain but was fortunately stopped. On another occassion some sodium residue was not disposed of properly (on a paper towel) and was simply placed in a trash can. A couple hours later the can burst into flames.
I've never used any metallic Rb or Cs (although their salts are another matter) in any experiments but potassium, sodium and lithium are all fair game. One reaction that I do involves first pulverizing sodium metal into a sodium metal mixture the consistency of sand. Think sodium is dangerous? Imagine sodium with near infinite surface area for reaction. I'm always sweating bullets during that one. In my experience the most dangerous parts of these metals is not the vigorous reactions with air/water but the fire that they create. Latex gloves, lab coats, solvents, hair. . . all are flammable and things can quickly get out of control.
That is my public safety announcement for the day. Carry on.
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Tons of additional video. Amazing how far the chunk flies into the air, and keeps bouncing on the water.
