Lithium

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Occurrence 3 Characteristics 4 Uses 5 More General Terms 6 Additional Terms 7 Internet Database 8 References

Introduction

• From the Greek lithos meaning stone. Discovered in in 1817 by J August Arfvedson in Stockholm. First isolated in 1821 by Willian T Brande.

Occurrence

• igneous rocks & many mineral spring waters

Characteristics

• soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group
• the lightest metal known
• easily cut
• reacts slowly with water to form H2 & LiOH
• reacts vigorously with all halogens to from halides

Uses

• nuclear reactions &
• metallurgy
• battery anodes
• as an alloy with aluminum & magnesium for lightweight, high-performance metals for aircraft

More General Terms

• alkali metal

Additional Terms

• Li+
• periodic table

Internet Database

PubChem: 23928
PubChem: 3028194
PubChem: 28486

References

1. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam- Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
2. Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003

lithium [Li]