Home > Lithium
3 Li Lithium 6.94

Lithium

ALKALI METAL
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Lithium (from Greek:λίθος lithos, "stone") is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silver-white metal belonging to the alkali metal group of chemical elements. Under standard conditions it is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element.

← PreviousHelium Next →Beryllium

Quick Facts

Atomic Number 3
Period 2
Group 1
Phase Solid
Appearance silvery-white
About Alkali Metals

Alkali metals are highly reactive, soft, silver, and shiny metals found in Group 1. They readily lose their outermost electron to form positive ions (cations) with a charge of +1.

History

Discovered By Johan August Arfwedson
Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 6.94
Density 0.534 g/L
Molar Heat 24.86 J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Lithium melts at 453.65 K and boils at 1603 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [He] 2s1
Electronegativity 0.98
Electron Affinity 59.6326 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 520.2 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.

Photograph

Image of Lithium Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.