Anions of the Alkali Metals

Alkali metals, such as sodium, are familiar as cations: positively charged ions formed when atoms lose an electron. Now it has been learned they can also gain an electron to form very reactive anions

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

00
Scientific American Magazine Vol 237 Issue 1This article was published with the title “Anions of the Alkali Metals” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 237 No. 1 (), p. 92
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0777-92

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe