Lithium

Introduction:

Lithium is the first of group I alkali element. Lithium was discovered by Arvfedson. Litium is rare metal, but is widespread. It is prepared by electrolysis of fused lithium chloride. Amblygonite, Lepidolite, Spodemenn is the ores of lithium. Lithium is a soft, lightest metal. Lithium is used in batteries and medicinal fields.

Lithium

• Symbol -Li.
• The atomic number of lithium is 3.
• The atomic mass of lithium is 6.94.
• The electronic configuration of lithium is 1s² 2s¹.
• Lithium is a solid metal which is silvery in its purest form.
• The valence number of electron is 1. Its tend to loss one electron readily to form li⁺ ion.

Properties of lithium:

Physical properties of Lithium:

The following are physical properties of Lithium:

• Lithium is a soft silvery metal. Fresh lithium is silvery but when it is exposed to air it becomes grayish due to oxidation.
• Lithium is lightest of all the metals, the density is very less. The density of lithium is about 0.534 grams per cubic centimeter.
• Lithium hardness is 0.6 on Mohs scale. Mohs scale is used to represent hardness of the material. We can scratch the lithium with our fingernails.
• The structure of lithium is body centric.
• Lithium is a highly reactive metal, readily forms oxides on the metal surface.
• Lithium is a lightest metal and is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
  • Electrical conductivity – 0.108 10⁶ / cm
  • Thermal conductivity- 0.847 W / cmK
• Lithium posses high boiling and melting points.
  • Boiling point of Lithium is 1,335 degree Celsius
  • Melting point of Lithium is 180.54 degree Celsius.
• Lithium has highest specific heat capacity about 3.6 j/gk

Chemical Properties of Lithium:

The following are chemical properties of Lithium:

• Lithium is highly reactive so it is kept under liquid paraffin or oil to prevent oxidation.
• Lithium reacts with oxygen at high temperature to form oxides, at normal temperature it reacts slowly.
• Lithium is the alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen that forms a black nitrure.
• Lithium reacts with halogens produces salts of lithium.
• Lithium reacts readily with water, liberates hydrogen and forms lithium peroxides.
• Lithium produces crimson red color flame during burning.