Lithium Element – Symbol, Electronic Configuration, Properties

Lithium is an important element that belongs to alkali metal group in periodic table. Lithium is the lightest solid metal. It is represented with the symbol “Li”. Lithium was discovered by scientist Johan August Arfvedson in the year 1817. In this article, we will discuss the complete details about Lithium including what is Lithium, its properties, uses and many other important terms.

Lithium Element
Symbol	Li
Atomic Number	3
Atomic Mass	6.941
Discovered by	Johan August Arfvedson (1792-1841)

What is Lithium

Lithium is an element which is solid at room temperature. Lithium belongs to group 1 in periodic table. It is the lightest solid element. Lithium is soft and generally found in silvery white color. It is an alkali group metal. Atomic number of lithium is 3 and the symbol is “Li”. It is least dense solid metal. Lithium is highly reactive and flammable element. The density of lithium is equal to the half of the density of water.

Lithium Symbol

The symbol of lithium element is shown in the picture below:

Lithium Element Details

The detailed data of lithium element is tabulated below:

Character	Details
Symbol	Li
Group	1
Period	2
Family Group	Alkali
Atomic Number	3
Atomic Mass	6.941
Block	s
Electron configuration	[He] 2s1
State at 20°C	Solid
Melting point	180.5 °C (454K)
Boiling point	1342 °C (1615K)
Density (g cm−3)	0.534
Key isotopes	7Li, 6Li
Critical point	3220 K, 67 MPa
Heat of fusion	3.00 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization	136 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity	24.860 J/(mol·K)
Oxidation states	+1 (a strongly basic oxide)
Electronegativity	Pauling scale: 0.98
Natural occurrence	primordial
Crystal structure	​body-centered cubic
Lattice constant	a = 350.93 pm (at 20 °C)
Thermal expansion	46.56×10−6/K (at 20 °C)
Thermal conductivity	84.8 W/(m⋅K)
Magnetic ordering	paramagnetic
Molar magnetic susceptibility	+14.2 × 10-6 cm3/mol (298 K)
Young’s modulus	4.9 GPa
Shear modulus	4.2 GPa
Bulk modulus	11 GPa

Properties Of Lithium

We can study the properties of lithium by classifying them in two categories. These are:

• Physical Properties of Sulfur
• Chemical Properties of Sulfur

Physical properties of Lithium

Lithium has several physical properties. These physical properties are given below –

• At room temperature, lithium is solid element.
• Lithium is very soft type metal.
• It occurs in silver white color or gray color.
• It is least dense solid metal. Its density is less than water.
• Lithium is the lightest solid metal.
• It is found in the first group as an alkali group member.
• Its atomic number is 3 and atomic mass is 6.941.
• Boiling point and melting point of lithium is 1342^oc and 180.2^oc respectively.
• It has very high specific hear and thermal conductivity. The specific heat and thermal conductivity of lithium are 3582J/Kg−K and 84.8W/mK respectively.

Chemical Properties of Lithium

The chemical properties of lithium are as follows:

• Lithium is a very reactive element. It reacts with several organic reagents as well as many inorganic reagents.
• When it comes to air, it burns with a red color flame and produce lithium monoxide (Li₂O).

4Li + O₂ = 2Li₂O

• Lithium oxide reacts with acids to produce their respective salts and water.

Li₂O + 2HCl → 2LiCl + H₂O

• Lithium oxide reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

2Li₂O + 2H₂O→ 4LiOH + H₂

• Lithium is the only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen to form lithium nitrite.

6Li + N2 → 2Li₃N

• Lithium reacts with hydrogen to form lithium hydride. It is a quick reaction.

2Li + H₂ → 2LiH

• Lithium reacts with the carbon to form lithium carbide (Li₂C₂).

10Li + 2CO₂ → Li2C₂ + 4Li₂O

• Due to extreme small size of its cation, it reacts with halogens to form ionic halides.

2Li + X₂ → 2LiX (X = F, Cl, ,Br, I)

Uses of Lithium

Lithium is very useful metal. It has many uses in various sectors. The uses of lithium are as follows:

• Lithium is extensively used to manufacture lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones, cameras, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
• It is used to make an alloy.
• Alloys of lithium with aluminum, copper are used to manufacture parts of aircraft and high speed trains.
• To manufacture glasses and ceramics, lithium oxide is used.
• Lithium hydroxide is commonly used as Lubricating greases.
• In air-conditioning and industrial drying systems, lithium chloride is used.
• Lithium carbonate is used in medical purposes as an antidepressant .

Facts About Lithium

The interesting facts about lithium is mentioned below:

• The name Lithium is derived from the ancient Greek work “Lithos” that means stone.
• Lithium is high reactive and flammable.
• Lithium is the lowest density metal among all metals. Its density is equal to the half of the density of water.
• Lithium does not found freely in nature.
• It is found in salts and minerals.
• A large amount of lithium is extracted from Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.
• In order to reserve the maximum amount of lithium in world, Chile is in first place followed by Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions on Lithium

What are 5 uses of lithium?

The uses of lithium are mentioned below:

• Lithium is extensively used to manufacture lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones, cameras, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
• It is used to make an alloy.
• Alloys of lithium with aluminum, copper are used to manufacture parts of aircraft and high speed trains.
• To manufacture glasses and ceramics, lithium oxide is used.
• Lithium hydroxide is commonly used as Lubricating greases.

Is lithium a metal?

Yes, lithium is a metal that belongs to group 1 alkali group metal. It is the lightest metal.

What is the melting point of lithium?

Melting point of lithium is very high. The melting point of lithium is 180.5 °C or 454K.

Who discovered lithium?

In 1817, Lithium was discovered by Johann Arfvedson of Sweden.

What color is lithium?

Lithium is found in silver white color or in gray color.

What is the state of lithium at room temperature?

At room temperature, lithium is in solid state. It is the lightest metal of all metals.

What country is richest in lithium?

Chile is the richest country to reserve the highest amount of lithium, Australia is in second position.

Is lithium found in India?

At present, Lithium is found in India mostly in Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Rajasthan lithium is found.