Lithium (pronounced as LITH-i-em ) is a comparatively rare element. It was discovered in the mineral petalite (LiAl(Si2O5)2) by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817 and was first isolated by William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy through the electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li2O). Today, larger amounts of the metal are obtained through the electrolysis of lithium chloride (LiCl). Lithium is not found free in nature and makes up only 0.0007% of the earth's crust.
Lithium is used to synthesize cathode material for lithium ion batteries. Depending on the design and chemical compounds used, lithium cells can produce voltages from 1.5 V to about 3.7 V, twice the voltage of an ordinary zinc-carbon battery or alkaline cell. Lithium batteries are widely used in products such as portable consumer electronic devices.
But there are other uses as well for lithium and its compounds. Lithium has the highest specific heat of any solid element and is used in heat transfer applications. It is used to make special glasses and ceramics, including the Mount Palomar telescope's 200 inch mirror. Lithium is the lightest known metal and can be alloyed with aluminum, copper, manganese, and cadmium to make strong, lightweight metals for aircraft. Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of spacecraft.
Although it is found in many rocks it is always in very low concentrations. There are a fairly large number of both lithium mineral and brine deposits but only comparatively a few of them are of actual or potential commercial value. The Clayton Valley lithium brine reserve is second only to the Salar de Uyuni area of Bolivia, which holds half of the world's lithium reserves. The U.S. is fortunate to have enough lithium-rich evapoerates to meet the needs of the new energy paradigm for centuries to come.
LITHIUM
Atomic Number - 3
Atomic Weight - 6.941
Melting Point - 453.5 K (356.9°F)
Boiling Point - 1615 K (2447.6°F)
Density - 0.534 grams / cubic centimeter
Phase at Room Temperature - Solid
The name comes from the Greek word for stone, lithos.
