THE BEECHMONT CREST SCIENCE ZONE
LEARNING THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
Lithium
Name origin: Greek lithos = “stone”
Symbol: Li
Atomic number: 3
Atomic weight: 6.941
-Lithium exists as a whitish metal. It is the lightest of all metals, and the lightest (and simplest) of all solid elements.
-Lithium is so light that it can float on water.
-This element reacts readily with water and air. In water, it forms hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide. In the open air, lithium reacts to form lithium oxide.
-Because it is so reactive, lithium cannot exist in nature in its pure form. For industrial applications, lithium must be kept in a water- and oxygen-free environment.
-The mineral form of lithium comprises a small portion (0.0007%) of the earth’s crust.
-Lithium is used in nuclear reactors, dry-cell batteries, and porcelain.
