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Lithium (chemical symbol Li) is a soft silver-white element that is the lightest metal in the periodic table. It belongs to the alkali metal family, which contains elements such as sodium and potassium. It is the third-lightest element overall, after hydrogen and helium.
Unlike most metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable. It readily reacts with oxygen, nitrogen and other elements in the air. It is used in a wide variety of applications, including energy storage, rocket fuel, cutting tools and pharmacological medications.
Lithium was discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist Johan Arfvedson. It was not until 1923 that it became commercially available. Although lithium is abundant in nature, most of the world’s mineable lithium reserves are located in South America. Chile and Bolivia are the two main producers of lithium.
The most common and stable form of lithium is lithium-6. The natural abundance of lithium-6 is seventy percent and lithium-7 is thirty percent. Lithium-7 has an unstable nucleus, making it difficult to use, however it is used in nuclear weapons and reactor research.
The lighter weight and higher reactivity of lithium makes it useful in many different ways. Lithium is used in the production of lightweight metals, such as aluminum and magnesium alloys. It is also used to produce special alloys that are resistant to corrosion and heat.
Lithium is used in batteries, particularly rechargeable battery cells. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of small, lightweight and rechargeable battery. They are used in portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and laptop computers.
Lithium is also used in medicines and treatments. Lithium-based medications, such as lithium carbonate, are used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and other mood and psychological disorders.
Lithium compounds are also used in specialized industrial processes. Lithium chloride is used for air conditioning and restaurant refrigeration systems and lithium hydroxide is used for the electrolysis process.
As technological advances continue, the demand for lithium is expected to increase. Already, the cost of lithium has increased significantly over the last decade. The increasing demand and scarce resources add to the difficulty and cost of production, making the future uncertain for lithium.
