Lithium meaning

lĭth'ē-əm
The definition of lithium is an alkali metal with the lowest density of any solid element.
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Its atomic number is 3 and its symbol is Li.
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Its name comes from the Greek word "lithos" which means "stone."
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Lithium is a silvery white colored metal that is very soft.
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Its density is half that of water, it is corrosive, and it is very flammable.
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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.
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It is strong and lightweight.
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It is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
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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.
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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.
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Lithium makes concrete harden more rapidly, kills algae, and absorbs carbon dioxide in space craft.
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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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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.
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Any of several salts of lithium, especially lithium carbonate.
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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
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Any of various antidepressants containing lithium, esp. lithium carbonate.
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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.
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(uncountable) The simplest alkali metal, the lightest solid element, and the third lightest chemical element (symbol Li) with an atomic number of 3.
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(pharmacology, uncountable) Lithium carbonate or other preparations of lithium metal used to treat manic depression and bipolar disorders.
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A lithium battery.
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Origin of lithium

From New Latin lithium, from lithia (in reference to Ancient Greek λίθος (lithos, “stone")) + -ium.

Sentence Examples

  • The atomic weight of lithium was determined by J.

  • Within two years of the invention the authors announced the discovery of two metals, rubidium and caesium, closely allied to sodium, potassium and lithium in properties, in the mineral lepidolite and in the Diirkheim mineral water.

  • The species lepidolite is largely used for the manufacture of lithium and rubidium salts.

  • Arfvedson, a pupil of Berzelius, detected a new element, which he named lithium, in various minerals - notably petalite.

  • lithium, the relative intensities of the lines are different according as the solution is concentrated or dilute.

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Words near lithium in the Dictionary