Lithium - Element of the Week from 11/2-11/9

            

           Lithium is Atomic number 3, and is an alkali metal. It's name comes from the Greek word "lithos" meaning stone. It is the least dense of all metals (floats on oil and water - though it reacts with water) and is soft enough to be cut with a knife. It is not found naturally in nature makes up 0.0007% of the Earth's crust.

            Lithium was discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfwedson, when he detected the presence of another element in the ore petalite. It was several more years before William Thomas Brande in 1921 was able to isolate Lithium. He did through electrolysis of a lithium oxide.

            There are many uses for Lithium. One of the most common is the use of lithium in batteries. Lithium batteries are the most common type of batteries because it produces the most voltage (typical cell = approximately 3 volts). The largest use of lithium is actually in the production of ceramics and glass. It is used because it reduces the melting point and viscosity of silica. Lithium oxides are also a component of some ovenware. Another common usage for lithium is in lubricating greases.

            Lithium-6 is a source material for tritium ­­– which is used in nuclear reactions. Lithium salts are also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder - and is the standard to test against when new medications are created.

            Lithium is corrosive and an irritant. Precautions such as gloves are recommended when handling lithium metal. Lithium also reacts with water, though not nearly as violently as other alkali metals.

Article on evolving uses of lithium - here.

Watch alkali metals react with water - here