Lithium

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Lithium
6.941(2)



  Li
3
1s22s1
[ ? ] Alkali metal:
Properties:
Soft, silver-white metal. Highly reactive and flammable.
Uses:
Batteries, medicine, industrial chemicals, rocket propellants
Hazard:
Corrosive, highly flammable


Lithium is a chemical element, typically found as a solid in its elemental form. It has the chemical symbol Li, atomic number (number of protons) Z = 3, and a standard atomic weight of 6.941 g/mol.

Lithium is considered to be a member of the "Alkali metal" class of elements. At a pressure of 101.325 kPa, it has a boiling point of 1342 °C, and a melting point of 180.5 °C. With a density of 0.534 g/cc, it is lighter than water.

Substance withdrawal syndrome

Substance withdrawal syndrome may occur after discontinuing lithium.[1][2]

Nuclear engineering

6Li, usually as lithium hydride, is the starting material to generate tritium in the Secondary of operational thermonuclear weapons.[3]

References

  1. Cavanagh J, Smyth R, Goodwin GM (2004). "Relapse into mania or depression following lithium discontinuation: a 7-year follow-up.". Acta Psychiatr Scand 109 (2): 91-5. PMID 14725588.
  2. Viguera AC, Nonacs R, Cohen LS, Tondo L, Murray A, Baldessarini RJ (2000). "Risk of recurrence of bipolar disorder in pregnant and nonpregnant women after discontinuing lithium maintenance.". Am J Psychiatry 157 (2): 179-84. PMID 10671384.
  3. Restricted Data Declassification Decisions 1946 to the Present, U.S. Department of Energy, 1 January 2001, RDD-7, Section II.P