LITHIUM

By: Michael

Krutzkamp

History of Lithium

Meaning “Lithos” which is Greek for “stone” Given this name because it was discovered in

a stone unlike other common Group 1 elements which were found in plant sources

Discovered By Johan Arfvedson in 1817 In Stockholm, Sweden, during an analysis of

petalite

Properties

Solid at Room Temperature Lightest Solid Metal Soft and has a Silvery-White color Melting Point: 180.5 oC Boiling Point: 1342 oC Density: .53 g.cm-3 at 20 oC

Properties

Many of its chemical and physical properties are more similar to the properties of the alkaline earth metals rather than the properties of its own group.

Major Isotopes Has 7 isotopes with mass numbers 5 to 11 but

only 2 are stable: Li6 and Li7

Has a high specific heat capacity 3.58 J/gK

Properties

Burns with a red flame but when burning extremely well the flame turns a bright white

It is the only common element that reacts with nitrogen at room temperature

Availability

Found in the Earth’s crust Abundance of 20 parts per million by weight

or 60 parts per million by moles Highly reactive and does not occur freely

in nature Cost:

$27 per 100 grams for Pure Lithium $9.50 per 100 grams for Bulk Lithium

Uses

Used in rechargeable Lithium ion Batteries

Also has various nuclear applications Used as a coolant in nuclear breeder reactors Is a source of Tritium

Formed by bombarding Lithium with Neutrons

Uses

Lithium Carbonate Used as a mood-stabilizing drug

Lithium Chloride and Bromide Used as Desiccants

Lithium Stearate Used as an all-purpose and high-temperature

Lubricant

References

www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/li.htm

www.answers.com/Q/What_does_lithium _mean

www.webelements.com/lithium/history.html

www.chemicool.com/elements/lithium.html