Lithium 3 | great-chemistry

Lithium is a low density metal--it floats on water--and can be cut with a sharp knife (or spatula). Because of its reactivity in air, lithium is stored under oil.

See a video of a sample of lithium being cut in the lab

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Lithium Li

Where is lithium used--or where does it impact our everyday lives?

Used in lithium ion batteries--a powerful, portable elelctricity supply

Symbol : Li At. # 3

State at room temperature : Solid

Density : 0.534 g/mL Floats on water!

Melting Point: 180.5 oC (356.9 oF)

Boiling Point: 1342 oC (2448 oF)

Reacts with air? With O2 forms monoxide 4Li + O2 --> 2Li2O

With N2 forms nitride 6Li + N2 --> 2Li3N

With water: forms lithium hydroxide + H2 gas 2Li + 2H2O --> 2LiOH+H2

Hazard: Highly flammable, gives off toxic fumes

Discovered: 1817 by Johann August Arfvedson in Stockholm, Sweden

Not found alone in nature, but in compounds such as lithium chloride

Electron configuration of the neutral atom: 2.1

Main Uses : for special glasses, lightest known metal, alloyed to reduce mass , ex.with Al, Cu, Mn, and Cd, high temperature lubricant (LiC18H35O2)-lithium grease

Common Compound: ionic Li2CO3

Li+ ion electron configuration : 2

Source: Lanl.gov

Researcher: Marcos Y-B

The Tesla car chassis on the left, has lithium ion batteries for the power supply--as does the Nissan Leaf below

Leaf

A medication is called lithium--but it is a compound of lithium, for example lithium carbonate which is a mediction against bipolar disorder.

Lithium is used in different alloys

Lithium grease

Lithium ion small appliance battery/power supply

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The National Fire Protectors association, NFPA, warning diamond on the bottle of lithium metal: 4 is the max number: red = flammability, blue = health, yellow = reactivity and white give special instructions--here the struckthough W means NO WATER

Fragments of metallic lithium about 1 cm (0.4 in) wide in a brown glass jar. The element is reactive with air so lithium is stored under water.