Li
6.940Lithium
Lityum
Lithium is the lightest metal and the first alkali metal. It is best known for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, lightweight alloys and important compounds used in medicine and industry.
3
6.94 g/mol
[He] 2s¹
2 | 1
0.98
0.534 g/cm³
180.5 °C
1341.8 °C
Johan August Arfwedson
Lithium was discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfwedson while analyzing the mineral petalite. Its name comes from lithos, the Greek word for stone, because it was found in a mineral rather than in plant ash or animal material.
Lithium-6
Natural abundance: 7.59%. Used in some nuclear applications and tritium production.Lithium-7
Natural abundance: 92.41%. The most abundant lithium isotope.LiOH
Lithium HydroxideStrong base used in greases and carbon dioxide scrubbers.Li₂CO₃
Lithium CarbonateUsed in medicine and in glass and ceramic production.LiCl
Lithium ChlorideUsed as a desiccant and in metallurgy.LiBH₄
Lithium BorohydrideStrong reducing agent and hydrogen-storage research material.LiAlH₄
Lithium Aluminum HydridePowerful reducing agent in organic chemistry.- Rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries
- Lithium carbonate in mood-stabilizing medicine
- Aluminum-lithium alloys for lightweight aerospace materials
- Heat-resistant glass and ceramics
- Lithium hydroxide for carbon dioxide removal systems
Lithium is not an essential nutrient, but lithium carbonate is used as a mood-stabilizing medicine. Lithium compounds must be handled carefully because excessive intake can be toxic.
- Lithium is the least dense metal and can float on water.
- Lithium gives a crimson-red color in a flame test.
- During charging and discharging, lithium ions move between the electrodes of a lithium-ion battery.
- Lithium is an alkali metal in group 1 and commonly forms Li⁺.
- Its electron configuration is [He] 2s¹, so it has one valence electron.
- Lithium reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, but less vigorously than sodium or potassium.
- Alkali metal reactivity generally increases down the group: Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
What is the atomic number of lithium?
The atomic number of lithium is 3.
What is the electron configuration of lithium?
Lithium has the electron configuration [He] 2s¹.
Is lithium a metal?
Yes. Lithium is the lightest metal and belongs to the alkali metal group.
What color is lithium in a flame test?
Lithium gives a crimson-red color in a flame test.
What is lithium used for?
Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries, lightweight alloys, ceramics, glass and some medicines.