Lithium

: This article is about the chemical element Lithium. For other uses, see Lithium (disambiguation).

Basic features

Lithium is the lightest in weight of all metals and has a density that is only half that of water. Oddly, lithium also exhibits properties of the alkali Earth metals in Group 2. Lithium is a soft, silvery metal, so soft that it can be cut with a sharp knife. Like all alkali metals, lithium possesses a single valence electron, and will readily lose this electron to become a positive ion so that it will not have a full shell, or set of electrons at an energy level. Because of this, lithium reacts easily in water and does not occur freely in nature. Nevertheless it is still less reactive than the chemically similar sodium.

Related Topics:
Water - Alkali metals - Valence electron - Sodium

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When placed over a flame, this metal gives off a striking crimson color but when it burns strongly, the flame becomes a brilliant white. Lithium will ignite and burn when exposed to oxygen and water. It is the only metal that reacts with nitrogen at room temperature. Lithium has a high specific heat capacity, 3582 J/(kg·K), and a great temperature range in its liquid form, which makes it a useful chemical.

Related Topics:
Crimson - Color - Specific heat capacity

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Lithium in its pure form is highly flammable and slightly explosive when exposed to air and especially water. Lithium fires are difficult to extinguish, requiring special chemicals designed to extinguish them. Lithium metal is also corrosive and requires special handling to avoid skin contact. Lithium should be stored in a non-reactive compound such as naphtha or a hydrocarbon. Lithium compounds play no natural biological role and are considered to be slightly toxic. When used as a drug, blood concentrations of Li+ must be carefully monitored.

Related Topics:
Naphtha - Hydrocarbon - Toxic

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