Lithium Information
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Lithium Element
Lithium (from Greek: λίθος, romanized: lithos, lit. 'stone') is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal. Under standard conditions, it is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable, and must be stored in mineral oil. When cut, it exhibits a metallic luster, but moist air corrodes it quickly to a dull silvery gray, then black tarnish. It never occurs freely in nature, but only in (usually ionic) compounds, such as pegmatitic minerals, which were once the main source of lithium. Due to its solubility as an ion, it is present in ocean water and is commonly obtained from brines. Lithium metal is isolated electrolytically from a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
Lithium reacts with water easily, but with noticeably less vigor than other alkali metals. The reaction forms hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide in aqueous solution.[4] Because of its reactivity with water, lithium is usually stored in a hydrocarbon sealant, often petroleum jelly. Though the heavier alkali metals can be stored in more dense substances, such as mineral oil, lithium is not dense enough to be fully submerged in these liquids.[17] In moist air, lithium rapidly tarnishes to form a black coating of lithium hydroxide (LiOH and LiOH·H2O), lithium nitride (Li3N) and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3, the result of a secondary reaction between LiOH and CO2.
Physical properties
According to the Jefferson National Linear Accelerator Laboratory, the properties of lithium are:
- Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 3
- Atomic symbol (on the Periodic Table of Elements): Li
- Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 6.941
- Density: 0.534 grams per cubic centimeter
- Phase at room temperature: Solid
- Melting point: 356.9 degrees Fahrenheit (180.5 degrees Celsius)
- Boiling point: 2448 degrees Fahrenheit (1342 degrees Celsius)
- Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 10; 2 stable
- Most common isotopes: Li-7 (92.41 percent natural abundance), Li-6 (7.59 percent natural abundance)
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