What is Lithium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Lithium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Lithium is classified as an "Alkali Metal" and located in Group 1 elements of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as an Alkali Metal is a very reactive metal that does not occur freely in nature. Alkali metals are soft, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

What is Lithium? Occurrence of the Lithium Element

• Lithium is widely distributed but does not occur in nature in its free form
• Forms a minor part of almost all igneous rocks
• Found in many natural brines

Medical Uses of Lithium - Health and Treatments
Interesting information on the Medical Uses of Lithium, Health and Treatments. Lithium carbonate is a psychotropic drug used to treat recurrent attacks of manic-depressive illnesses and has helped correct sleep disorders in manic patients, apparently by suppressing the rapid eye movement phases of sleep. Therapeutic concentrations of lithium have no observable psychotropic effects on normal individuals.

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 6×10^-7%
% in Sun 6×10^-9%
% in Meteorites 0.00017%
% in Earth's Crust 0.0017%
% in Oceans 0.000018%
% in Humans 3×10^-6%

Associated Uses of Lithium
Lithium batteries
Lithium orotate, carbonate, polymer & bromide
Lithium ion battery

What is Lithium? The Properties of the Lithium Element
Name of Element : Lithium
Symbol of Element : Li
Atomic Number of Lithium : 3
Atomic Mass: 6.941 amu
Melting Point: 180.54 °C - 453.69 °K
Boiling Point: 1347.0 °C - 1620.15 °K
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 0.53 g/cm3
Color of Lithium : silver

Facts about the History of the Discovery of Lithium Element
Lithium was discovered by Johann Arfvedson in 1817 when he was analyzing minerals from the island of Uto in Sweden. The element was isolated by W.T. Brande and Sir Humphry Davy.

Sir Humphry Davy
Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) isolated Sodium, lithium, Potassium, barium, strontium, and Calcium by means of electrolysis. Davy also demonstrated the elementary nature of Chlorine, invented the safety lamp and discovered the stupefying effects of nitrous oxide.

Sir Humphry Davy (1778 - 1829)

Lithium as on the Periodic Table
Check out Lithium on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Lithium as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

Other elements classified as Alkali Metals
Alkali metals are soft, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. The other elements contained in this classification are as follows:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Rubidium
• Cesium
• Francium

What is Lithium - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Lithium is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Lithium with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Lithium and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.