The Chemical and Physical Properties of Lithium, or Li

The Chemical and Physical Properties of Lithium, or Li Lithium is the first metal you encounter on the periodic table. Here are important facts about this element. Lithium Basic Facts Atomic Number: 3Symbol: LiAtomic Weight: [6.938; 6.997]Reference: IUPAC 2009Discovery: 1817, Arfvedson (Sweden)Electron Configuration: [He]2s1Word Origin Greek: lithos, stoneElement Classification: Alkali Metal Lithium Properties Lithium has a melting point of 180.54 C, a boiling point of 1342 C, a specific gravity of 0.534 (20 C), and a valence of 1. It is the lightest of the metals, with a density approximately half that of water. Under ordinary conditions, lithium is the least dense of the solid elements. It has the highest specific heat of any solid element. Metallic lithium is silvery in appearance. It reacts with water, but not as vigorously as does sodium. Lithium imparts a crimson color to flame, although the metal itself burns a bright white. Lithium is corrosive and requires special handling. Elemental lithium is extremely flammable. Lithium Uses Lithium is used in heat transfer applications. It is used as an alloying agent, in synthesizing organic compounds, and is added to glasses and ceramics. Its high electrochemical potential makes it useful for battery anodes. Lithium chloride and lithium bromide are highly hygroscopic, so they are used as drying agents. Lithium stearate is used as a high-temperature lubricant. Lithium has medical applications as well. Lithium Sources Lithium does not occur free in nature. It is found in small amounts in practically all igneous rocks and in the waters of mineral springs. The minerals that contain lithium include lepidolite, petalite, amblygonite, and spodumene. Lithium metal is produced electrolytically from the fused chloride. Lithium Physical Data Density (g/cc): 0.534Appearance: soft, silvery-white metalIsotopes: 8 isotopes [Li-4 to Li-11]. Li-6 (7.59% abundance) and Li-7 (92.41% abundance) are both stable.Atomic Radius (pm): 155Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 13.1Covalent Radius (pm): 163Ionic Radius: 68 (1e)Specific Heat (20 °C J/g mol): 3.489Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 2.89Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 148Debye Temperature ( °K): 400.00Pauling Negativity Number: 0.98First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 519.9Oxidation States: 1Lattice Structure: Body-Centered CubicLattice Constant (Ã…): 3.490Magnetic Ordering: paramagneticElectrical Resistivity (20 °C): 92.8 nÃŽ ©Ã‚ ·mThermal Conductivity (300 K): 84.8 W ·m−1 ·K−1Thermal Expansion (25 °C): 46  µm ·m−1 ·K−1Speed of Sound (thin rod) (20 °C): 6000 m/sYoungs Modulus: 4.9 GPaShear Modulus: 4.2 GPaBulk Modulus: 11 GPaMohs Hardness: 0.6CAS Registry Number: 7439-93-2 Lithium Trivia Lithium is used extensively in rechargeable battery technology.Lithium is the only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen.Lithium burns red in a flame test.Lithium was first discovered in the mineral petalite (LiAlSi4O10).Lithium is used to create the hydrogen isotope tritium through bombardment of neutrons. Sources Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001)IUPAC 2009Crescent Chemical Company (2001)Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952)