THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF THE GROUP IA ELEMENTS

This review describes thermodynamic properties of condensed phases of the alkali metals, excluding francium for which the amount of informat ion is too limited. The properties considered are: heat capacities fro m 0 to 1600 K, temperatures and enthalpies of fusion and martensitic t ransformation in Li and Na; discussion of the Debye temperature and el ectronic heat capacity coefficient at absolute zero temperature is als o included. The paper is the second part of a series. Similar to our p revious assessment of the IIA group [93ALC/CHA], this paper considers original studies, especially with respect to factors which influence t he accuracy and reliability of results. Recommendations derived from s uch analyses are compared with most advanced previous reviews made at the Institute for High Temperatures (Moscow) [70SHP/YAK], [82GUR] and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Washington) [85JAN ]. The properties of individual elements of the group are compared and suggestions are made for experimental studies which should improve po orly measured quantities. The review is supplemented by an IBM PC data base which contains references, assessed data, brief description of st udies and has facilities for fitting and plotting of data and for addi ng new information.