Lithium hydroxide can be used to purify air and remove carbon dioxide in spacecraft and submarines.Because it is the lightest metal, it can be alloyed with other metals such as aluminum and copper to make strong lightweight metals.When burning, lithium gives off a bright red flame.Along with hydrogen and helium, lithium was one of the three elements produced in large quantities by the Big Bang.You can't use water as water will react with the lithium and could make the fire worse. Lithium fires are difficult to put out.Although it is a metal, it is soft enough to cut with a knife.When Lithium is found naturally it occurs as a mixture of the two stable isotopes. Lithium has seven isotopes of which two are stable. It was named by Johann Arfvedson (who also discovered it). Lithium comes from the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone" or "rock". It was isolated in its pure form a year later by English chemist Humphry Davy. Lithium was first detected as an element by Swedish chemist Johann August Arfvedson in 1817 when he was analyzing petalite ore. Other applications include lubricating greases, high performance aircraft materials, and anti-depression drugs. Another major application is in the manufacture of ceramics and glass. Around 27% of lithium used for industry is used in batteries. Probably the one you are most familiar with is lithium batteries. Lithium is used in a variety of applications. However, it is found throughout the world in a variety of areas including seawater, mineral springs, and igneous rocks. However, it is less reactive and explosive than the other alkali metals.īecause it is so reactive, lithium is not found in its pure form in nature. It is flammable and can even explode when exposed to air and water. Lithium's single valence electron allows it to be a good conductor of electricity. It can cause burns if it comes into contact with the skin. It needs to be stored in mineral oil as it will react with air or water. It has the highest specific heat capacity of any solid element. It is the least dense of the solid elements and is the lightest of all the metals. Like all alkali metals it has a single valence electron that it readily gives up to form a cation or compound.Īt room temperature lithium is a soft metal that is silvery-white in color.
Lithium is part of the alkali metal group and can be found in the first column of the periodic table right below hydrogen. Discovered by: Johann August Arfvedson in 1817.
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