Difference between revisions of "Lithium"

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m (Text replace - "== Authority ==" to "== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==")
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Li; litio (It., Port., Esp.); Litium (Sven.)
 
Li; litio (It., Port., Esp.); Litium (Sven.)
  
== Other Properties ==
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== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
  
 
Flame color is deep red (670.8 nm). Reacts violently with inorganic acids.   
 
Flame color is deep red (670.8 nm). Reacts violently with inorganic acids.   
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== Hazards and Safety ==
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== Risks ==
  
 
Solutions containing lithium are toxic to the central nervous system.   
 
Solutions containing lithium are toxic to the central nervous system.   
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Contact causes burns.  Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption.   
 
Contact causes burns.  Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption.   
  
[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0710.html International Chemical Safety Card]
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Fisher Scientific: [https://beta-static.fishersci.com/content/dam/fishersci/en_US/documents/programs/education/regulatory-documents/sds/chemicals/chemicals-l/S25391.pdf SDS]
  
== Additional Information ==
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== Resources and Citations ==
  
Web Elements: [http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Li/key.html Website]
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* Web Elements: [http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Li/key.html Website]
 
 
== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
 
  
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971

Revision as of 11:02, 2 November 2020

Lithium pellets

Description

A soft, silvery metallic element. Lithium occurs naturally in the minerals Spodumene, Lepidolite, and Petalite that is found in Canada, central Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Europe, and the United States. Lithium is also produced as a byproduct in the recovery of Potash and Borax from dry lake beds. Lithium was first discovered as a salt in 1817 by Johan A. Arfvedson and prepared as a pure metal by Davy the next year. Metallic lithium tarnishes rapidly in air and must by stored in a nonreactive liquid. Lithium is the lightest element in the alkali metal series. It is harder than metallic Sodium, but softer than Lead. Metallic lithium is used as a heat transfer medium in nuclear reactors, as a deoxidizer and strengthener in many alloys and in the manufacture of high strength ceramics, enamels, and optical quality Glass.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Li; litio (It., Port., Esp.); Litium (Sven.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Flame color is deep red (670.8 nm). Reacts violently with inorganic acids.

Soluble in liquid ammonia.

Composition Li (atomic no. 3)
CAS 7439-93-2
Mohs Hardness 0.6
Melting Point 180.54
Density 0.534
Molecular Weight atomic wt = 6.941
Boiling Point 1336

Risks

Solutions containing lithium are toxic to the central nervous system.

Flammable. Lithium metal will ignite in air.

Fire and explosion risk when exposed to water, acids, or oxidizing agents.

Contact causes burns. Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption.

Fisher Scientific: SDS

Resources and Citations

  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971
  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 5543
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

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