Important facts about Lithium

Key facts about Lithium:

• It is a soft, silvery-white metal that heads group 1, the alkali metals group, of the periodic table of the elements.
• Features:
  • It has the lowest density of all metals.
  • It is the lightest of the solid elements. 
  • It reacts vigorously with water.
  • It has a body-centered cubic crystal structure.
• Occurrence:  

• Lithium does not occur as a metal in nature but is found combined in small amounts in igneous rocks.
• Lithium is found in brine deposits and as salts in mineral springs. Its concentration in seawater is 0.1 part per million (ppm).

• Major Reserves: Lithium reserves are concentrated in the lithium triangle in South America – Argentina, Bolivia & Chile, with 50% of the deposits concentrated in these regions. 
• Uses:

• Lithium is important in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, and electric vehicles. 
• It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and clocks.
• Lithium metal is made into alloys with aluminium and magnesium, improving their strength and making them lighter. 
• Lithium oxide is used in special glasses and glass ceramics.
• Lithium stearate is used as an all-purpose and high-temperature lubricant.
• Lithium carbonate is used in drugs to treat manic depression

Q1) What are alkali metals?

Alkali metals are the chemical elements found in Group 1 of the periodic table. The alkali metals include: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.These elements react with water to form hydroxide ions, creating alkaline solutions (pH>7).

Source: Lithium deposits found in J&K: Is India’s EV drive now set to take the fast lane?

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