Why is this element important in everyday life?
Lithium is important in everyday life because it is used for a number of things. Lithium alloys are used to construct some parts of lightweight airplanes. It is also used to make bicycles. It has also been used to treat various mental disorders with Lithium compounds. It is also used in airconditioners.
Metallic Lithium has the highest heat capacity of any other element. We use this as a heat transfer medium in nuclear reactors. Lithium is used as a reducing agent in synthesis of organic compounds. It is known as the best reducing agent. Its high half-cell voltage (-3.04v) has made it a popular battery anode in dry cells. The cost for a pound of lithium is $20.00.
Where is this element found in nature?
Lithium is an Alkali Metal which means that it is not found in nature as a free element. It is highly reactive and must be stored under oil. It reacts readily, it differs in many ways from the other members of its family. (Alkali Metals)
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Atomic Symbol = Li
Period Number = #2
Group Number and Family Name =#1 Alkali Metals
Atomic Number = 3
Atomic Mass =6.941
Density =0.534 g/cm2
Melting Point =186 degrees celsius
Boiling Point =1347 degrees celsius
Electron Configuration =1s2 2s1
Shorthand Notation =[He] 1s1
Common Reactions =Lithium reacts with oxygen to form lithium oxide. It also reacts with nitrogen, but only at a very high temperature.
Interesting Information =
Lithium's ionic charge density and electronegativity are close to those of magnesium. So Li compounds resemble those of Mg in some ways. It is the only IA metal that combines with N2 to form nitride Li3N. The solubilities of Li compounds are closer to those of Mg compounds than to those of othe IA compounds. Lithium reacts with cold water and acids, replacing hydrogen.
Who is ?
Topic of our show "Helium Springer" episode "Alkali Crisis" Helium (He)- "Hello and welcome to our show. Some elements think that they are more reactive and better than others of its own family. And three of the elements from the Alkali Family are here today to battle it out. Would everyone please welcome Lithium, Sodium and Potassium. Also known as the Alkali Metals"
Lithium (Li) Sodium (Na) > "Hello Helium thanks for having us." Potassium (K)
He-"Now from what I understand is that you Li think that you are better than the others.
Li- "Well I believe that I am the bast element, I mean look at me, I react readily. And I burn the best. When I burn I give off a bright red color. And everybody wants to be just like me. I think they are jealous.
K- "Your such a baby, you're so weak that you can easily be cut with a butter knife. I have to be cut with more force than you."
Li- "Well, I can react with oxygen and form lithium oxide. I can also react with nitrogen at a very high temperature."
Na- "Big deal combine me with chlorine and we make something edible, table salt."
Li_ "I combine with aluminum to form an alloy that is used to produce bicycles and airplanes because we are very lightweight. When I am metallic I have the highest heat capacity of ANY other element. I am used as a heat transfer medium in nuclear reactors."
(Na picks up a chair and throws it at Li. K and Na gang up on Li and steals his electrons)
Na-"Oh yeah, my atomic number is eleven, higher than yours.
K- "Yeah my atomic number is 19,bigger than both of y'all." (Li throws an electron at K. There is an electron war.)
He- "All Hell-ium has broken loose." (He drops his microphone and picks up the electron and throws it back)
He- "Now, Now everybody calm down. We have another guest. Everybody please welcome Magnesium (Mg) from the Alkaline Earth Metals. Hello Mg." (Mg runs out on stage and tackles Na and K)
Mg- "Hi, Helium."
He- "From what I understand you and Li are a couple."
Mg-"That's correct. Well first of all He, I love this show and I watch it all of the time. Second Li and I are so much alike, our solubilities are closer than any other two IA compounds. We can both form normal oxides."
Na- "Listen Mg, I don't want to get into this with you."
Mg- "You two need to accept it. Your nothing and you wish that you were as good as us. Li is the only IA metal to combine with Nitrogen. Oh wow Na, you can form salt, you're my hero."
Li- "Yeah, my boiling point is 1347 degrees celsius. And I am a major help to people with mental disorders. And I have a very long life."
He- "Well, that is all the time we have today our next show deals with the Noble Gases and are they really Noble."
