Lithium
Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Lithium is a Group 1 element, on the Periodic Table, with an atomic number of 3.
About Lithium
Molecular Structure
- Lithium has the chemical symbol Li.
- Lithium atoms join together in large numbers to form a giant metal molecule.
Atomic Structure
- Lithium has 3 protons and 4 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an Atomic Number of 3 and an atomic mass of 7.
- An atom of Lithium has only 1 electron in its outer shell.
Properties
- Lithium is the least reactive Alkali Metal.
- Lithium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
- Lithium oxidises quickly in the presence of Oxygen so it must be stored in oil.
- Lithium reacts strongly with water to produce Hydrogen gas and Lithium Hydroxide.
- Lithium is a solid at room temperature.
Key Stage 4
A 2 dimensional representation of the Bohr Model of a Lithium-7 isotope with 3 protons and 4 neutrons in the nucleus and 2 electrons in the first shell and 1 in the outer shell.
Meaning
Lithium is a Group 1 element, on the Periodic Table, with 3 protons in the nucleus.
About Lithium
Molecular Structure
- Lithium has the chemical symbol Li.
- Lithium atoms join together in a giant metallic structure.
Atomic Structure
- The most stable isotope of Lithium has 4 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an atomic mass of 7.
- An atom of Lithium has only 1 electron in its outer shell.
- Lithium ions have lost an electron to become positively charged.
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| A diagram showing the formation of a Lithium ion. |
Properties
- Lithium is the least reactive Alkali Metal.
- Lithium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
- Lithium oxidises quickly in the presence of Oxygen so it must be stored in oil.
- Lithium reacts strongly with water to produce Hydrogen gas and Lithium Hydroxide.
- Lithium is a solid at standard temperature and pressure with a melting point of 180.50 °C.