Lithium | Name | Lithium | | Symbol | Li | | Atomic Number | 3 | | Atomic Mass | 6.941 atomic mass units | | Number of Protons | 3 | | Number of Neutrons | 4 | | Number of Electrons | 3 | | Melting Point | 108.54° C | | Boiling Point | 1347° C | | Density | .53 grams per cubic centimeter | | Normal Phase | Solid | | Family | Alkali Metals | | Period | 2 | | Cost | $300 per pound | | Origin of Name | From the Greek word lithos, meaning stone | | Date and Place of Discovery | In 1817 in Sweden | | Discovered by | Johan August Arfwedson | | Common Compounds | - Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4)
- Lithium borate (Li2B4O7)
- Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)
- Lithium chloride (LiCl)
- Lithium hydride (LiH)
- Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
- Lithium niobate (LiNbO3)
- Lithium tantalate (LiTaO3)
| | Interesting facts | It accounts for only .0007% of the earth's crust. It is the lightest of all metals. It is a soft metal that can be cut with a common knife. It is flammable and can be explosive. It has a high heat capacity. | | Common Uses | - Glass, ceramic and porcelain products
- Dry cell batteries
- Nuclear reactor coolants
- Lubricants
- Alloy hardeners
- Pharmaceuticals, mostly to treat manic depressives
- Hydrogenating agents
- Heat transfer liquids
- Rocket propellants
- Deoxidizer in copper and copper alloys
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