Lithium (Z=3): The Key Element of Modern Batteries
Lithium: An Essential Element in Modern Technology
Lithium (symbol Li, atomic number 3) is a light and reactive alkali metal used in many technological applications, particularly rechargeable batteries. It also plays an important role in astrophysics and organic chemistry.
Contribution of lithium to vital processes
Lithium, though a trace element, plays a modulatory role in neuronal activity and mood regulation. It affects ion transport across cell membranes and is involved in certain intracellular signaling pathways (such as the phosphoinositide pathway). In humans, very low concentrations are required, but both deficiency and excess can have neurological consequences.
History of Discovery
1817: Discovered by Johan August Arfvedson Lithium was first discovered by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfvedson, who isolated it from a mineral called petalite. However, it was not until 1855 that the pure metal was isolated.
1930s: Industrial Applications Lithium quickly found applications in battery manufacturing and medicine, particularly in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Atomic Structure
Constitution: Three protons, three electrons, and generally four neutrons for the most common isotope (³Li). Isotopes:
Lithium-6 (⁶Li): Rarer isotope, used in certain types of nuclear reactors.
Lithium-7 (⁷Li): More abundant and stable isotope, used in lithium-ion batteries and astrophysical applications.
Physical Properties
Light metal, with a density of 0.534 g/cm³, the least dense solid metal.
Melting point: 453.65 K (180.5 °C)
Boiling point: 1590 K (1317 °C)
Good thermal and electrical conductivity, but less than copper.
Highly reactive, especially with water, forming lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Chemical Reactivity
Reacts with water, producing hydrogen and lithium hydroxide.
Forms salts such as lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃), used in industry and medicine.
Reacts with halogens to form lithium halides, used in various chemical applications.
Powerful reducing agent, used in metallurgy and batteries.
Industrial and Technological Applications
Lithium-ion batteries: Used in mobile phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other devices.
Manufacture of special glasses and ceramics due to lithium's low density.
Aerospace industry: Used in light alloys for aircraft and satellite manufacturing.
Medical use: Treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium carbonate.
Nuclear reactors: Used in neutron moderators (lithium-6).
Cosmological and Astrophysical Role
Lithium is one of the three elements formed in significant quantities during the Big Bang.
Presence in stars: Produced during the early stages of nuclear fusion in primordial stars.
Lithium is observed in the atmospheres of stars, providing information about their evolution.
Fundamental Physical Issues
Lithium is used in materials physics for the manufacture of increasingly efficient batteries.
Lithium isotopes are used to study primordial nucleosynthesis and stellar physics.
