Discovered in 1817 by J.A. Arfvedson in Stockholm, Sweden, and isolated by W.T. Brande in 1821.

Lithium is a soft, silver metal, and is the first member of the alkali group of metals. It is the lightest of all metals and, whilst resembling sodium chemically, it is less active.
Abundance and Production

As is the case for other alkali group elements, it is obtained by the electrolysis of the fused halides. The abundance of lithium in the earth's crust is 20 ppm.

Lithium reacts slowly in water and in air where it eventually forms a black coating of oxide. This means that this metal tends to be stored under oil to prevent deterioration.
Applications

Lithium is used as an alloying agent with aluminium and magnesium, and in the manufacture of batteries. Compounds of lithium are used in various applications; for example, lithium 12-hydroxy stearate is used in high performance greases as it provides good water resistance and good low temperature performance; lithium hydride is a strong reducing agent and is used as a source of hydrogen, and lithium carbonate is used as a tranquiliser and in the treatment of some mental illnesses. Lithium and its compounds also find applications in the manufacture of glass and ceramics.
Key Properties

Atomic Properties







Atomic number


3

Atomic radius - Goldschmidt ( nm )


0.157

Atomic weight ( amu )


6.941

Crystal structure


Body centred cubic

Electronic structure


He 2s1

Photo-electric work function ( eV )


2.4

Thermal neutron absorption cross-section ( Barns )


63

Valences shown


1

Ionisation potential


No.


eV




1


5.39




2


75.6




3


122.4

Natural isotope distribution


Mass No.


%




6


7.5




7


92.5

Electrical Properties




Electrical resistivity @20°C ( µOhm.cm )


9.29

Temperature coefficient @0-100°C ( K-1 )


0.00435

Thermal emf against Pt (cold 0°C - hot 100°C) ( mV )


+1.82

Mechanical Properties




Material condition


Polycrystalline

Bulk modulus ( GPa )


11.1

Hardness – Vickers


<5

Poisson’s ratio


0.36

Tensile modulus ( GPa )


4.91

Physical Properties




Boiling point (°C )


1342

Density @20°C ( g.cm-3 )


0.534

Melting point (°C )


180.5

Thermal Properties




Coefficient of thermal expansion @0-100°C ( x10-6 K-1 )


56

Latent heat of evaporation ( J.g-1 )


19600

Latent heat of fusion ( J.g-1 )


422

Specific heat @25°C ( J.K-1.kg-1 )


3560