Estimation of the critical constants of the alkali metals: review and perspective

The paper reviews the various procedures which have been developed to estimate the critical constants of the alkali metals, in the light of the present understanding of the liquid metal systems and recent experimental data. The various estimation procedures considered are broadly classified into three types based on empirical correlations of experimental data, the Van der Waals equation of state, and the principle of corresponding states. A summary of the measured critical constants of the alkali metals is given, and compared with values obtained using a new procedure proposed by the author. (UK)