Lithium

Lithium is a chemical element that is metallic with a chemical symbol of "Li" and an atomic number of 3. Lithium is located in the first group with alkali metals. Pure lithium metal is very soft and the color is a bright white. Lithium reacts and oxidizes rapidly in air and water. Lithium is used in batteries and enters in the composition of some drugs, neurological diseases and depression in the form of lithium carbonate. It can be prescribed to treat episodes of mania and help treat people with bipolar disorder.



Lithium is the lightest metal, and its density is half the density of water approximately. Like other alkali metals, lithium reacts easily with water, and there is no freely in nature due to reactive, but less active component of sodium-like it. When exposed directly to the lithium flame gives a bluish color red is strong, but when the combustion flame color becomes white, and Leciom a single electron interactions in the active. Lithium has many uses in everyday life, it is involved in many essential modern day products.

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. **Brief History of Lithium**  The chemical element, Lithium, was discovered in 1817. Soon after is was found that a solution of lithium carbonate could dissolve stones containing urate. "Urate Imbalances," were a topic of curiosity in the 1800's due to it allegedly causing a series of diseases. The diseases included both mania and depression. In 1871 lithium was first used as a cure for mania. When more people heard about the positive effects of lithium the interest for mineral rich springs became popular. But, because the concentration of the lithium and other minerals were so low, the negative effects, of larger quantities, were not realized. The most unfortunate of effects to the high concentration has been death. It was not until much later on that lithium was found to cure or mitigate bipolar disorder. By 1970 the lithium based medication for bipolar disorder was approved by the FDA.
 * Uses**
 * lithium stearate is mixed with oils to make all-purpose and high-temperature lubricants.
 * lithium hydroxide is used to absorb carbon dioxide in space vehicles.
 * lithium is alloyed with aluminium, copper, manganese, and cadmium to make high performance alloys for aircraft.
 * Bahnmetall consists of lead containing 0.04% lithium, 0.7% calcium and 0.6% sodium is harder than pure lead and was used for railroad car bearings in Germany.
 * compounds such as LiAlH4 and organolithium reagents (LiMe, LiPh, etc.) are very important as reagents in organic chemistry
 * lithium metal has the highest specific heat of any solid element and so heat transfer applications
 * various nuclear applications
 * lithium is sometimes used as battery anode material (high electrochemical potential) and lithium compounds are used in dry cells and storage batteries
 * lithium is used in the manufacture of special high strength glasses and ceramics
 * sometimes, lithium-based compounds such as lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) are used as drugs to treat manic-depressive disorders.[[image:lithium_and_oil.jpg caption="Lithium floating in oil"]]

Lithium is an alkali metal. Lithium burns white. The element Lithium is not free in nature but can be found in igneous rocks and mineral springs.


 * Name:** Lithium **Symbol:** Li **Atomic Number:** 3 **Atomic Mass:** 6.941 amu **Melting Point:** 180.54 °C (453.69 K, 356.972 °F) **Boiling Point:** 1347.0 °C (1620.15 K, 2456.6 °F) **Number of Protons/Electrons:** 3 **Number of Neutrons:** 4 **Classification:** Alkali Metal **Crystal Structure:** Cubic **Density @ 293 K:** 0.53 g/cm3 **Color:** silvery

Atomic Structure

 * [[image:http://www.chemicalelements.com/bohr/b0003.gif width="213" height="211" caption="Number of Energy Levels: 2"]] ||  ||   ||

Isotopes

 * ** Isotope ** || ** Half Life ** ||
 * Li-6 || Stable ||
 * Li-7 || Stable ||

Facts

 * Date of Discovery:** 1817 **Discoverer:** Johann Arfvedson **Name Origin:** From the Greek word //lithos// (stone) **Uses:** batteries, ceramics, lubricants **Obtained From:** passing electric charge through melted lithium chloride, spodumene