Lithium

Lithium Symbol
               

                   

             

     

  Lithium  Battery

Atomic Number: 3

Symbol: Li

Atomic Weight: 6.941

Discovery: 1817, Arfvedson (Sweden)

Electron Configuration: [He]2s¹

Word Origin Greek: lithos, stone

Properties: Lithium has a melting point of 180.54°C, boiling point of 1342°C, specific gravity of 0.534 (20°C), and valence of 1. It is the lightest of the metals, with a density approximately half that of water. Under ordinary conditions, lithium is the least dense of the solid elements. It has the highest specific heat of any solid element. Metallic lithium is silvery in appearance. It reacts with water, but not as vigorously as does sodium. Lithium imparts a crimson color to flame, although the metal itself burns a bright white. Lithium is corrosive and requires special handling. Elemental lithium is extremely flammable.

Uses: Lithium is used in heat transfer applications. It is used as an alloying agent, in synthesizing organic compounds, and is added to glasses and ceramics. Its high electrochemical potential makes it useful for battery anodes. Lithium chloride and lithium bromide are highly hygroscopic, so are used as drying agents. Lithium stearate is used as a high-temperature lubricant. Lithium has medical applications, as well.

Sources: Lithium does not occur free in nature. It is found in small amounts in practically all igneous rocks and in the waters of mineral springs. The minerals that contain lithium include lepidolite, petalite, amblygonite, and spodumene. Lithium metal is produced electrolytically from the fused chloride.

Element Classification: Alkali Metal

Density (g/cc): 0.534

Appearance: soft, silvery-white metal

Atomic Radius (pm): 155

Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 13.1

Covalent Radius (pm): 163

Ionic Radius: 68 (+1e)

Specific Heat (@20°C J/g mol): 3.489

Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 2.89

Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 148

Debye Temperature (°K): 400.00

Pauling Negativity Number: 0.98

First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 519.9

Oxidation States: 1

Lattice Structure: Body-Centered Cubic

Lattice Constant (Å): 3.490

Magnetic Ordering: paramagnetic

Electrical Resistivity (20°C): 92.8 nΩ·m

Thermal Conductivity (300 K): 84.8 W·m−1·K−1

Thermal Expansion (25°C): 46 µm·m−1·K−1

Speed of Sound (thin rod) (20°C): 6000 m/s

Young's Modulus: 4.9 GPa

Shear Modulus: 4.2 GPa

Bulk Modulus: 11 GPa

Mohs Hardness: 0.6

CAS Registry Number: 7439-93-2