Lithium
š In Your World
Lithium is the powerhouse behind the modern portable world. As the key component in lithium-ion batteries, it fuels everything from your smartphone and laptop to electric vehicles like Teslas. It's the lightest of all metals and has the highest electrochemical potential, making it perfect for storing large amounts of energy in a small, lightweight package.
š The Discovery Story
Lithium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson. He found it while analyzing the mineral petalite but was unable to isolate the pure metal due to its high reactivity. The name "lithium" comes from the Greek word "lithos," meaning "stone," because it was discovered in a mineral. The pure metal was first isolated later by Humphry Davy through electrolysis.
š Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 180.5 Ā°C / 356.9 Ā°F |
| Boiling Point | 1342 Ā°C / 2448 Ā°F |
| Electron Configuration | [He] 2sĀ¹ |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.002% |
ā ļø Safety & Handling
Lithium metal is highly reactive and flammable. It reacts vigorously with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas and corrosive lithium hydroxide. It must be stored under mineral oil or in an inert atmosphere to prevent it from reacting with air and moisture. Lithium compounds, while used in medicine, can be toxic in high doses.