Lithium (Li) - Atomic Number 3

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LITH-i-em

Lithium (Li) is a silver-white colored metal that has the atomic number 3 in the periodic table. It is an Alkali Metal with the symbol Li and is located in Group 1 of the periodic table.

Lithium’s most common uses include in the creation of batteries and its use in medication. Lithium is a very reactive metal and unlike a lot of metals it can be cut with a knife. It reacts violently with water and if left out in air it will react with oxygen by the process of oxidation. Lithium very often has to be kept in oil for storage to prevent it reacting with moisture and oxygen in the air. Lithium is a metal in Group 1 of the period tables. It is a solid at room temperature and it has a melting point of 1330°c and a boiling point of 180°c. Lithium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish scientist Johan August Arfvedson through his analysis of the mineral Petalite. As Lithium is so reactive it does not occur freely in nature, however it is found as an ore. In 1855, the British chemist Augustus Matthiessen managed to purify Lithium from Lithium Chloride. Lithium is a metal with the lowest known density and will easily float on water.

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FAQ's

What is the Melting Point for Lithium?

Lithium has a Melting Point of 180.5°C, meaning at 180.5°C it will turn to a liquid.

What is the Boiling Point for Lithium?

Lithium has a Boiling Point of 1342°C, meaning at 1342°C it will turn to a Gas.

What is the Electronegativity of Lithium?

Lithium's Electronegativty is 0.98. Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly atoms attract bonding electrons to themselves.

Discovered by

Johann Arfwedson

Discovery date

1817

What is the Heat of Vaporization of Lithium?

Lithium has a Heat of Vaporization of 145.92 kJ/mol.

Uses

Used in batteries. Also for certain kinds of glass and ceramics. Some is used in lubricants.

Sources

Obtained by passing electric charge through melted lithium chloride and from the silicate mineral called spodumene [LiAl(Si2O6)].

About the author

Nathan M

Author

Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.

Citation

"Lithium" Published on Dec 30, 2019. https://breakingatom.com/elements/lithium3Protons3Electrons4NeutronsLiElement SymbolLiAtomic Weight6.941Atomic Number3StateSolidMelting PointUnknown180.5°CBoiling Point1342Unknown°CHeat of Vaporization145.92UnknownkJ/molCrystal StructureCubic: Body centeredThermoconductivity0.847UnknownW/cmKShells2,1GroupAlkali MetalPeriod2BlockS BlockOrbitals[He] 2s1Coefficient of Thermal Expansion46 10^-6 K^-1Covalent Radius1.23 ÅDensity at 293K0.53 g/cm³Electrical Conductivity0.108 10^6/cm ohmFirst Ionization Potential5.3917 VSecond Ionization Potential76.638 VThird Ionization Potential122.451 VIonic Radius.76 (+1) ÅOxydation States1Lattice Parameter3.5101 ÅLattice Parameter 2--Lattice Parameter 36.7080 ÅOrbital configuration2,1

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Explore Other Alkali Metals

22387

Fr

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Rb

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Na

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K

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Cs

CaesiumThe alkali metals, found in group 1 of the periodic table (formally known as group IA), are so reactive that they are generally found in nature combined with other elements. The alkali metals are shiny, soft, highly reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure. Previous

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