lithium

lith·i·um

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noun

The definition of lithium is an alkali metal with the lowest density of any solid element.

Facts About Lithium

Its atomic number is 3 and its symbol is Li.
Its name comes from the Greek word "lithos" which means "stone."
Lithium is a silvery white colored metal that is very soft.
Its density is half that of water, it is corrosive, and it is very flammable.
It is not found free in nature but is found in igneous rocks, in water from mineral springs, and in seawater or brine. Traces of lithium are also found in plants, plankton, invertebrates and vertebrates.
It is strong and lightweight.
It is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
The first man-made nuclear fusion reaction used the transmutation of lithium to tritium. Basically, that is heating the element until the nuclei are forced to fuse.
2,500 metric tons of lithium were used in the U.S. 21% were used for glass and ceramics. 20% of the use is in batteries.
Lithium makes concrete harden more rapidly, kills algae, and absorbs carbon dioxide in space craft.
Lithium hydride makes life boats inflate and lithium deuteride is a necessary component in the explosion of hydrogen bombs.

An example of lithium is what is added to molten glass to make it stronger and lighter.

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"lithium." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM>.

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lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM

lithium

a soft, silver-white, metallic chemical element, one of the alkali metals and the lightest metal: used in thermonuclear explosives, in metallurgy, etc.: symbol, Li; at. no. 3
any of various antidepressants containing lithium, esp. lithium carbonate

Origin of lithium

ModL: name coined (1818) by Berzelius from lithia + -ium

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"lithium." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM>.

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lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM

lithium

noun

A soft, silvery, highly reactive element that is an alkali metal and is used as a heat transfer medium, in thermonuclear weapons, and in batteries, lubricants, various alloys, ceramics, and optical glass. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 180.5°C; boiling point 1,342°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1. See Periodic Table.
Any of several salts of lithium, especially lithium carbonate.

Origin of lithium

From lithia

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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"lithium." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM>.

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lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM

Symbol Li

A soft, silvery metallic element of the alkali group that occurs in small amounts in some minerals. It is the lightest of all metals and is highly reactive. Lithium is used to make alloys, batteries, glass for large telescopes, and ceramics. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 179°C; boiling point 1,317°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1.

See Periodic Table

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"lithium." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM>.

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lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM

Noun

(countable and uncountable, plural lithiums)

(uncountable) The simplest alkali metal, the lightest solid element, and the third lightest chemical element (symbol Li) with an atomic number of 3.
(pharmacology, uncountable) Lithium carbonate or other preparations of lithium metal used to treat manic depression and bipolar disorders.
A lithium battery.

Related terms

Origin

From New Latin lithium, from lithia (in reference to Ancient Greek Î»Î¯Î¸Î¿Ï‚ (lithos, “stone")) + -ium.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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"lithium." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM>.

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lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/LITHIUM

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