Lithium

Lithium

Statistics of Lithium

Lithium is a Chemical Element with an 
Atomic Number :3 
Atomic Mass: 6.941 Atomic Mass Units 
Atomic Symbol: Li
Melting Point: 180.54°C 
Boiling Point: 1342 °C

Valence Electrons:1
Phase of Litihum at room temperature: Solid
Group:Alkali Metals
Group Number: 1

Period Number: 2 
Density: 0.535 g/cm³ 

Isotopes: Lithium-6 (⁶Li), Lithium-7 (⁷Li)
Allotropes: None 

% in Universe: 6.×10^-7% 

% in Earth's Crust: 0.0017% 

% in Humans: 3×10^-6%

% in Ocean: 0.000018%  

% in Sun: 6.×10^-9%

% in Meteorites: 0.00017% 

Petalite (LiAlSi₄O₁₀) was discovered in 1800 by the Brazilian chemist and statesman José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva in a mine on the island of Utö, Sweden.^[54][55][56] However, it was not until 1817 that Johan August Arfwedson, then working in the laboratory of the chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius, detected the presence of a new element while analyzing petalite ore.This element formed compounds similar to those of sodium and potassium, though its carbonate and hydroxide were less soluble in water and more alkaline. Berzelius gave the alkaline material the name "lithion/lithina", from the Greek word λιθoς (transliterated as lithos, meaning "stone"), to reflect its discovery in a solid mineral, as opposed to potassium, which had been discovered in plant ashes, and sodium which was known partly for its high level in animal blood. He named the metal inside the material "lithium".

Importance of Lithium

People may ask, What's the importance of Lithium in daily life. 

I would answer, Lithium is used as a medicine. When you take lithium it acts on nerves in your brain and changes the way you act.

Bad Effects of Lithium

Lithium can cause nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, muscle weakness, fatigue, and a dazed feeling. These unwanted side effects often improve with continued use. Fine tremor, frequent urination, and thirst can occur and may persist with continued use. Weight gain and swelling from excess fluid can also occur. Lithium can also cause or make skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, and rashes worse. The amount of lithium in the body must be carefully controlled and is checked by blood tests.

Experiment

Want to see a cool experiment on Lithium? Click the Url Link to see the cool experiment. Lithium Experiment.

Wasn't that awesome. The Lithium sizzled in the water like carbonated water.

How Lithium is used and The History of Lithium

The most important use of lithium is in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.

Lithium metal is made into alloys with aluminium and magnesium, improving their strength and making them lighter. A magnesium-lithium alloy is used for armour plating. Aluminium-lithium alloys are used in aircraft, bicycle frames and high-speed trains.

Interesting Facts about Lithium

1. Lithium is believed to be one of only three elements – the others are hydrogen and helium – produced in significant quantities by the Big Bang. Synthesis of these elements took place within the first three minutes of the universe’s existence.
2. Lithium is the only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen.
3. Humphrey Davy produced some of the world’s first lithium metal from lithium carbonate. Today lithium carbonate – or more precisely the lithium ions in lithium carbonate – are used to inhibit the manic phase of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.
4. Lithium based batteries have revolutionized consumer devices such as computers and cell phones. For a given battery weight, lithium batteries deliver more energy than batteries based on other metals; in other words, lithium batteries have high energy density.

Be sure to check out my next post on Beryllium