Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="topic-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="Lithium, chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale. Learn more about the occurrence and uses of lithium." /> <meta name="keywords" content="lithium, encyclopedia, encyclopeadia, britannica, article" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element" /> <title>Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts | Britannica</title> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","DEFAULT_S3_REGION": "US_EAST_1","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "Topic", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/[url]?v=3.130.14", "date": 20241123, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "224117960741949230" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "B" ,"adsTestVersion": "B" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,25,25]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":343644,"currentDate":20241123}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false,"topicUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element" ,"freeTopicReason": "NO_REFERRER" ,"topicId": 343644 ,"template": "DESKTOP" ,"type": "CORE" ,"hasToc": true ,"chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api" ,"showPreview": false ,"infiniteScrollList": [{"p":1,"t":343644},{"p":1,"t":182400},{"p":4,"t":15617},{"p":6,"t":296583},{"p":1,"t":343642},{"p":1,"t":17668},{"p":1,"t":1487247},{"p":1,"t":62913},{"p":2,"t":1589019},{"p":1,"t":2073402}] ,"sequence": 1 ,"topics": {} }, "GA": {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","articleTemplateType":"LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Lithium, chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale. Learn more about the occurrence and uses of lithium."/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Lithium, chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale. Learn more about the occurrence and uses of lithium."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"ARTICLE","title":"Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts","description":"Lithium, chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale. Learn more about the occurrence and uses of lithium.","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } // if ('scrollRestoration' in history) { history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/at.js?v=3.130.14" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> <meta name="last-modified" content="2024-10-30" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"headline":"Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts","image":{"url":"https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg","@type":"ImageObject"},"author":[{"name":"James L. Dye","url":"https://www.britannica.com/contributor/James-L-Dye/4690","@type":"Person"}],"keywords":"lithium","wordcount":1517,"url":"https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element","datePublished":"1998-07-20T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-10-30T00:00:00Z","description":"Lithium, chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale. Learn more about the occurrence and uses of lithium.","publisher":{"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization","logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"}},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"} </script></head> <body data-leg="B" class="new-topic topic-desktop first-page-true user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-bb-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='ay';</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/15510053/CMP_1x1', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-1709766812090-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script async defer src="https://launchpad-wrapper.privacymanager.io/0ccc6fe8-1870-4ad8-b47b-6d029ac116fc/launchpad-liveramp.js"></script> <script async src="https://JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs.ay.delivery/manager/JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs" type="text/javascript" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" ></script><div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"Science-Tech","description":"Explore science and technology; astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","keywords":"astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","classId":"SCIENCE","sortOrder":2},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-outline-white-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange-dark p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> Subscribe <span class="d-none d-md-inline"> Now</span> </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY " href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE selected selected" href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content md-expanded" data-topic-id="343644"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element">lithium</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element">Introduction</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref278855"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element#ref278855">Occurrence and production</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref278856"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element#ref278856">Significant uses</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref278857"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element#ref278857">Chemical properties</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref278858"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element#ref278858">Nuclear properties</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref278859"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element#ref278859">Biological properties</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/lithium-chemical-element">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element/images-videos">Images, Videos & Interactives</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/127834" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-004-0D780B29/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" alt="lithium" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-050-9EA22B15/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/64464" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-004-C1ED8B36/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg" alt="lithium" height="50" /> </a> <a href="/video/How-Do-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-Work/280519" data-href="/media/1/343644/280519" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <div class="position-relative --aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/240890-138-B33E3C42/How-Do-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-Work.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="lithium-ion batteries" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-sm btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%)"> <em class="material-icons font-14" data-icon="play_arrow" > </em> </div> </div> </a> <a href="" data-href="/media/1/343644/299687" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/255013-049-6477CC72/periodic-table-banner.jpg" alt="Explore an interactive periodic table of the elements" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/224380-050-178A2C85/Galaxy-Mining-Lithium-and-Spodumene-drilling-holes-for-explosives-in-Ravensthorpe-Western-Australia.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/267257" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/224380-004-4E13E33D/Galaxy-Mining-Lithium-and-Spodumene-drilling-holes-for-explosives-in-Ravensthorpe-Western-Australia.jpg" alt="open-pit mine" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/6047-004-C939ACB4/energy-levels-nuclei-ground-state-subtraction-Li.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/672" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/6047-004-C939ACB4/energy-levels-nuclei-ground-state-subtraction-Li.jpg" alt="Figure 12: The energy levels of three nuclei with A = 6, relative to the ground state of 6Li after subtraction of the calculated electrostatic energy. The isospin T = 1 levels exist in all three nuclei." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/6038-050-DC1FDAEA/ionization-energy-element-atom-electron-energies-nonmetal.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/647" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/6038-004-134735D2/ionization-energy-element-atom-electron-energies-nonmetal.jpg" alt="first ionization energies of the elements" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/6046-050-D533C3B3/energies-function-atomic-mass-number.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/654" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/6046-004-A03990FC/energies-function-atomic-mass-number.jpg" alt="nuclear binding energies" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/6052-004-FA9B043E/decay-electron-capture.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/655" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/6052-004-FA9B043E/decay-electron-capture.jpg" alt="decay of beryllium-7" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-student-links"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> For Students </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/summary/lithium-chemical-element"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.130.14" class="default " height="200" width="200"/> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/summary/lithium-chemical-element" >lithium summary</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-quizzes"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Quizzes </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/periodic-table-names-symbols-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/66/215466-131-16036BD8/Concept-artwork-periodic-table-elements.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Concept artwork on the periodic table of elements." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/periodic-table-names-symbols-quiz" >118 Names and Symbols of the Periodic Table Quiz</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/facts-you-should-know-the-periodic-table-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/203458-131-D94E9327/periodic-table-concept.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Periodic Table of the elements concept image (chemistry)" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/facts-you-should-know-the-periodic-table-quiz" >Facts You Should Know: The Periodic Table Quiz</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-questions"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 pb-0 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-15"> Related Questions </div> <ul> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/Is-mathematics-a-physical-science">Is mathematics a physical science?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-is-the-definition-of-an-alkali-metal">What is the definition of an alkali metal?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/Why-are-they-called-the-alkali-metals">Why are they called the alkali metals?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-are-some-properties-of-the-alkali-metals">What are some properties of the alkali metals?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-is-the-most-common-alkali-metal">What is the most common alkali metal?</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-read-next"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Read Next </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/gravity-from-apples-to-the-universe"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/85/131985-131-280FFD87/Mark-C-Lee-Extravehicular-Activity-Spacewalk-Rescue-Sept-16-1994.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Above the clouds 130 nautical miles below, astronaut Mark C. Lee floats freely without tethers as he tests the new Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacewalk Rescue (SAFER) system, Sept. 16, 1994. Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-64" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/gravity-from-apples-to-the-universe" >Gravity: From Apples to the Universe</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-discover"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Discover </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/pro-and-con-school-uniforms"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/230835-131-63152980/School-children-wearing-school-uniforms.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Diverse elementary school children wearing school uniforms running outside of school. Boys girls" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/pro-and-con-school-uniforms" >Pro and Con: School Uniforms</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/200006-131-ABB681CF/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Italian-Renaissance-Florence-Engraving-1500.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci" >10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/why-is-ireland-two-countries"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/148643-131-2B2237A6/example-landscape-Irish-Ireland-Sligo.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/why-is-ireland-two-countries" >Why Is Ireland Two Countries?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/why-do-we-eat-turkey-on-thanksgiving"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/201772-131-C576ED87/Turkey-sides.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Thanksgiving Turkey with all the sides" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/why-do-we-eat-turkey-on-thanksgiving" >Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/12-greek-gods-and-goddesses"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/23/176123-131-94DCF6F8/Aphrodite.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Aphrodite. Greek mythology. Sculpture. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/12-greek-gods-and-goddesses" >12 Greek Gods and Goddesses</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/146135-131-BC5E7D00/Baseball-grass-arts-Homepage-blog-entertainment-sports-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Baseball laying in the grass. Homepage blog 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" >10 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/what-is-the-difference-between-daoism-and-confucianism"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/189918-131-88EB3997/statue-temple-Confucius-China-Shanghai.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Confucius statue at a Confucian Temple in Shanghai, China. Confucianism religion" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/what-is-the-difference-between-daoism-and-confucianism" >What is the Difference Between Daoism and Confucianism?</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button class="drawerToggle btn position-sticky border btn-xs btn-white btn-circle rounded-sm d-none d-lg-flex " type="button" aria-label="Toggle Drawer"> <em class="material-icons font-18 text-blue" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="h-100 ml-0 pr-lg-0 "> <div class="h-100 grid gx-0 gx-lg-20"> <div class="h-100 col-sm"> <div class="h-100 infinite-pagination-container d-flex flex-column position-relative"> <div class="position-absolute top-0 h-100 w-100"> <div class="toc-sticky-header d-none d-lg-none bg-gray-50 px-10 px-sm-30 position-sticky w-100 "> <div class="toc-sticky-header-inner-container align-items-center d-flex mx-auto h-100 w-100"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-sm btn-white text-blue border-2 border-gray-100 gtm-mobile-toc-header-button js-sections-button d-lg-none p-10"> <em class="material-icons my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Contents </button> <div class="header-ai-ask-button-placeholder"></div> <div class="header-ai-summarize-button-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grey-box w-100 grey-box-top grey-box-bottom"> <div class="grey-box-content mx-auto w-100"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Science", "name": "Science" } } , { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 2, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Chemistry", "name": "Chemistry" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb mt-20"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Science">Science</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Chemistry">Chemistry</a> </span> </nav> <div class="page2ref-true topic-content topic-type-REGULAR" data-student-article="false"> <script class="page-description-json" type="application/json"> { "url": "/science/lithium-chemical-element", "shareUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element", "browserTitle": "Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts", "firstTopicPage": true, "topicId":343644 } </script> <div class="reading-channel"> <div class="desktop-header-image module-spacing"> <figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-20 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="13684" data-asm-type="image"> <div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"> <a style="min-height: 160px;" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/343644/127834"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg?w=300"> <img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop" alt="lithium" loading="eager" /> </picture> <button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </a> </div> <figcaption class="card-body"> <div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"> <span> <a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/131173-050-2F916887/fragments-Lithium-metal.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/127834">lithium</a> <span><span>Three fragments of Lithium metal.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>lithium</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">chemical element</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="343644"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <button class="js-print-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=343644] .md-print-modal" > <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="print"></em> Print </button> <div class="md-print-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">print</em> Print </div> <div class="mt-20 mb-10"> Please select which sections you would like to print: </div> <form action="/print/article/343644" method="post" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div class="print-box-items"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><label><input class="mr-10" type="checkbox" name="sequence[]" value="0">Table Of Contents</label></li> </ul> </div> <input type="submit" class="btn btn-blue md-disabled" value="Print" /> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=343644] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="James L. Dye" data-title="lithium" data-published-date="30 Oct. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=343644] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="lithium" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element">https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=343644] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/343644"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/li.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Lenntech - Lithium - Li</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.livescience.com/28579-lithium.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">LiveScience - Facts About Lithium</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2022/mcs2022-lithium.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">USGS Publications Warehouse - Lithium</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.goodtherapy.org/drugs/lithium.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">GoodTherapy - Lithium</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519062/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Lithium</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/3/lithium" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Royal Society of Chemistry - Lithium</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-lithium-5086884" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Verywell Health - What Is Lithium?</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/lithium/312202" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lithium - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Li</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/James-L-Dye/4690" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">James L. Dye</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> James L. Dye</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-10-30T00:00:00CDT" >Oct 30, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-chemical-element/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/science/lithium-drug" topicid="343696">lithium</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/lithium-6" topicid="343680">lithium-6</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/lithium-7" topicid="343684">lithium-7</a></dd> <dd><a href="/technology/lithium-ion-cell" topicid="1085580">lithium-ion battery</a></dd> <dd><a href="/technology/lithium-cell" topicid="343699">lithium cell</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>On the Web: </dt> <dd><a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2022/mcs2022-lithium.pdf" target="_blank">USGS Publications Warehouse - Lithium</a> (Oct. 30, 2024)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/lithium-chemical-element"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="64464" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-050-9EA22B15/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/343644/64464"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-050-9EA22B15/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-050-9EA22B15/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg?w=300" alt="lithium" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/22397-050-9EA22B15/Lithium-lithium-symbol-square-Li-properties-some.jpg" data-href="/media/1/343644/64464">lithium</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref285919"></span>lithium (Li)</strong>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/chemical-element" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">chemical element</a> of Group 1 (Ia) in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/periodic-table" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">periodic table</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/alkali-metal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alkali metal</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/group-periodic-table" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">group</a>, lightest of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/solid-state-of-matter" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">solid</a> elements. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/metal-chemistry" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">metal</a> itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/alloy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alloys</a> and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="compounds" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compounds" data-type="MW">compounds</a> are produced on an industrial scale.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="text-center pb-20"><div class="md-table-wrapper"><table class="md-element-table"><caption>Element Properties</caption><tbody><tr><th scope="row">atomic number</th><td>3</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">atomic weight</th><td>6.941</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">melting point</th><td>180.5 °C (356.9 °F)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">boiling point</th><td>1,342 °C (2,448 °F)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">specific gravity</th><td>0.534 at 20 °C (68 °F)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">oxidation state</th><td>+1</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">electron configuration</th><td>2-1 or 1<em>s</em><sup>2</sup>2<em>s</em><sup>1</sup></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref278855"> <h2 class="h1">Occurrence and production</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist <span id="ref1030673"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johan-August-Arfwedson" class="md-crosslink ">Johan August Arfwedson</a> in the mineral petalite, lithium is also found in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/brine" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">brine</a> deposits and as salts in mineral springs; its concentration in seawater is 0.1 part per million (ppm). Lithium is also found in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/pegmatite" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">pegmatite</a> ores, such as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/spodumene" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">spodumene</a> (LiAlSi<sub>2</sub><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/oxygen" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">O</a><sub>6</sub>) and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lepidolite" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">lepidolite</a> (of varying structure), or in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/amblygonite" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">amblygonite</a> (LiAlFPO<sub>4</sub>) ores, with Li<sub>2</sub>O contents ranging between 4 and 8.5 percent. It <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="constitutes" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutes" data-type="MW">constitutes</a> about 0.002 percent of Earth’s crust.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Until the 1990s the lithium chemical and metal market was dominated by American production from mineral deposits, but by the turn of the 21st century most production was derived from non-U.S. sources; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Australia" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Chile" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Chile</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Portugal" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Portugal</a> were the world’s largest suppliers. (Bolivia has half the world’s lithium deposits but is not a major producer of lithium.) The major commercial form is <span id="ref1030672"></span>lithium carbonate, Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, produced from ores or brines by a number of different processes. Addition of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/hydrochloric-acid" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">hydrochloric acid</a> (HCl) produces <span id="ref206557"></span>lithium chloride, which is the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="compound" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound" data-type="MW">compound</a> used to produce lithium metal by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/electrolysis" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">electrolysis</a>. Lithium metal is produced by electrolysis of a fused mixture of lithium and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/potassium" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">potassium</a> chlorides. The lower <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/melting-point" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">melting point</a> of the mixture (400–420 °C, or 750–790 °F) compared with that of pure lithium chloride (610 °C, or 1,130 °F) permits lower-temperature operation of the electrolysis. Since the voltage at which decomposition of lithium chloride takes place is lower than that of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/potassium-chloride" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">potassium chloride</a>, lithium is deposited at a purity level greater than 97 percent. Graphite anodes are used in the electrolytic production of lithium, while the cathodes are made of steel. The pure lithium formed at the cathode <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="coalesces" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/coalesces" data-type="EB">coalesces</a> at the surface of the electrolyte to form a molten pool, which is protected from reaction with air by a thin film of the electrolyte. The lithium is ladled from the cell and cast by pouring it into a mold at a temperature only slightly above the melting point, leaving the solidified electrolyte behind. The solidified lithium is then remelted, and materials insoluble in the melt either float to the surface or sink to the bottom of the melt pot. The remelting step reduces the potassium content to less than 100 parts per million. Lithium metal, which can be drawn into wire and rolled into sheets, is softer than lead but harder than the other alkali metals and has the body-centred cubic <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/crystal" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">crystal structure</a>.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/facts-you-should-know-the-periodic-table-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/203458-131-D94E9327/periodic-table-concept.jpg" alt="Periodic Table of the elements concept image (chemistry)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Facts You Should Know: The Periodic Table Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Many lithium <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="alloys" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/alloys" data-type="EB">alloys</a> are produced directly by the electrolysis of molten salts, containing lithium chloride in the presence of a second chloride, or by the use of cathode materials that interact with the deposited lithium, introducing other elements into the melt.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref4166"></span>The table lists the major producers of lithium.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="md-raw-html"><div class="md-drag md-table-wrapper"><table> <caption> Lithium </caption> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col"> country </th> <th scope="col"> mine production 2006 (metric tons)* </th> <th scope="col"> % of world known mine production </th> <th scope="col"> demonstrated reserves 2006 (metric tons)* </th> <th scope="col"> % of world demonstrated reserves </th> </tr> </thead> <tfoot> <tr> <td colspan="5"> *Estimated. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"> **Production figures withheld. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"> ***Details do not add to totals given because of rounding. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"> Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2007. </td> </tr> </tfoot> <tbody> <tr> <td scope="row"> Chile </td> <td> 8,200 </td> <td> 35 </td> <td> 3,000,000 </td> <td> 27 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Australia </td> <td> 5,500 </td> <td> 23 </td> <td> 260,000 </td> <td> 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Argentina </td> <td> 2,900 </td> <td> 12 </td> <td> NA </td> <td> NA </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> China </td> <td> 2,820 </td> <td> 12 </td> <td> 1,100,000 </td> <td> 10 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Russia </td> <td> 2,200 </td> <td> 9 </td> <td> NA </td> <td> NA </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Canada </td> <td> 707 </td> <td> 3 </td> <td> 360,000 </td> <td> 3.0 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Zimbabwe </td> <td> 600 </td> <td> 3 </td> <td> 27,000 </td> <td> 0.2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Portugal </td> <td> 320 </td> <td> 1 </td> <td> NA </td> <td> NA </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Brazil </td> <td> 242 </td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 910,000 </td> <td> 8 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> Bolivia </td> <td> — </td> <td> — </td> <td> 5,400,000 </td> <td> 49 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> United States </td> <td> ** </td> <td></td> <td> 410,000 </td> <td> 4 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> World total*** </td> <td> 23,500 </td> <td></td> <td> 11,000,000 </td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </span> </section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref278856"> <h2 class="h1">Significant uses</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="280519" data-asm-type="video"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="video" video-id="240890"><a data-id="240890" class="gtm-assembly-link d-flex justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9" href="/video/How-Do-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-Work/-280519"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/240890-138-B33E3C42/How-Do-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-Work.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop" alt="lithium-ion batteries" loading="lazy"><script type="application/json"> { "sources": [ { "file" : "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/ZppK7h2v.m3u8" } ], "image": "https://cdn.britannica.com/90/240890-138-B33E3C42/How-Do-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-Work.jpg" ,"tracks": [ { "file" : "//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/DRmGdrG7", "label": "English" } ] ,"adfile": "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/fc4xxRGd.m3u8" } </script><div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em></div></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><span class="md-assembly-title font-weight-bold mr-5 d-inline font-sans-serif md-video-caption" video-control="240890">lithium-ion batteries</span><span>How lithium-ion batteries work.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div><a class="font-14 mt-10 d-inline-block" href="/science/lithium-chemical-element/images-videos">See all videos for this article</a></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The principal industrial applications for lithium metal are in metallurgy, where the active element is used as a scavenger (remover of impurities) in the refining of such metals as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/iron-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">iron</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/nickel-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">nickel</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/copper" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">copper</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/zinc" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">zinc</a> and their alloys. A large variety of nonmetallic elements are scavenged by lithium, including oxygen, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/hydrogen" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">hydrogen</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/nitrogen" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">nitrogen</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">carbon</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sulfur" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sulfur</a>, and the halogens. Lithium is utilized to a considerable extent in organic synthesis, both in laboratory reactions and industrially. A key reagent that is produced commercially on a large scale is <em>n</em>-<span id="ref206561"></span>butyllithium, C<sub>4</sub>H<sub>9</sub>Li. Its principal commercial use is as an initiator of polymerization, for example, in the production of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="synthetic" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic" data-type="MW">synthetic</a> rubber. It is also extensively used in the production of other organic chemicals, especially pharmaceuticals. Because of its light weight and large negative electrochemical potential, lithium metal, either pure or in the presence of other elements, serves as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/anode" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">anode</a> (negative electrode) in many nonrechargeable lithium primary batteries. Since the early 1990s much work has been done on high-power rechargeable lithium storage batteries for electric vehicles and for power storage. The most successful of these provides for separation of the anode and a cathode such as LiCoO<sub>2</sub> by a solvent-free conducting polymer that permits migration of the lithium cation, Li<sup>+</sup>. Smaller rechargeable lithium <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="batteries" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/batteries" data-type="EB">batteries</a> are extensively used for cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lightweight lithium-magnesium alloys and tough lithium-aluminum alloys, harder than aluminum alone, have structural applications in the aerospace and other industries. Metallic lithium is used in the preparation of compounds such as lithium hydride.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <div class="mb-20"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="299687" data-asm-type="infogram"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="infogram"><script id="infogram_0__/z8pqlTWwRHqAnaNwFRkn" src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?Itp" type="text/javascript" title="Explore an interactive periodic table of the elements"></script></div></figure></div></div> </section> <span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref278857"> <h2 class="h1">Chemical properties</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In many of its properties, lithium exhibits the same characteristics as do the more common alkali metals <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sodium" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sodium</a> and potassium. Thus, lithium, which floats on water, is highly reactive with it and forms strong hydroxide solutions, yielding lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and hydrogen gas. Lithium is the only alkali metal that does not form the anion, Li<sup>−</sup>, in solution or in the solid state.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lithium is chemically active, readily losing one of its three electrons to form compounds containing the Li<sup>+</sup> cation. Many of these differ markedly in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/solubility-chemistry" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">solubility</a> from the corresponding compounds of the other alkali metals. Lithium <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbonate" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">carbonate</a> (Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>) exhibits the remarkable property of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="retrograde" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/retrograde" data-type="EB">retrograde</a> solubility; it is less soluble in hot water than in cold.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD11 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lithium and its compounds impart a crimson colour to a flame, which is the basis of a test for its presence. It is commonly kept in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/mineral-oil" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">mineral oil</a> because it reacts with the moisture in the air.</p><span class="marker MOD11 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD12 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Organolithium compounds, in which the lithium atom is not present as the Li<sup>+</sup> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/ion-physics" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">ion</a> but is attached directly to a carbon atom, are useful in making other organic compounds. Butyllithium (C<sub>4</sub>H<sub>9</sub>Li), which is used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, is prepared by the reaction of butyl bromide (C<sub>4</sub>H<sub>9</sub>Br) with metallic lithium.</p><span class="marker MOD12 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD13 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In many respects lithium also shows similarities to the elements of the alkaline-earth group, especially <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/magnesium" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">magnesium</a>, which has similar atomic and ionic radii. This similarity is seen in oxidation properties, the monoxide being normally formed in each case. Reactions of organolithium compounds are also similar to the Grignard reactions of organomagnesium compounds, a standard synthetic procedure in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/organic-chemistry" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">organic chemistry</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD13 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD14 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A number of the lithium compounds have practical applications. <span id="ref206554"></span>Lithium hydride (LiH), a gray crystalline solid produced by the direct combination of its <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="constituent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituent" data-type="MW">constituent</a> elements at elevated temperatures, is a ready source of hydrogen, instantly liberating that gas upon treatment with water. It also is used to produce <span id="ref206555"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-aluminum-hydride" class="md-crosslink ">lithium aluminum hydride</a> (LiAlH<sub>4</sub>), which quickly reduces aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic esters to alcohols.</p><span class="marker MOD14 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD15 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref206556"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-hydroxide" class="md-crosslink ">Lithium hydroxide</a> (LiOH), commonly obtained by the reaction of lithium carbonate with lime, is used in making lithium salts (soaps) of stearic and other fatty acids; these soaps are widely used as thickeners in lubricating greases. Lithium hydroxide is also used as an additive in the electrolyte of alkaline storage batteries and as an absorbent for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-dioxide" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">carbon dioxide</a>. Other industrially important compounds include lithium chloride (LiCl) and <span id="ref206558"></span>lithium bromide (LiBr). They form concentrated brines capable of absorbing <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="aerial" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/aerial" data-type="EB">aerial</a> moisture over a wide range of temperatures; these brines are commonly employed in large refrigerating and air-conditioning systems. <span id="ref206559"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-fluoride" class="md-crosslink ">Lithium fluoride</a> (LiF) is used chiefly as a fluxing agent in enamels and glasses.</p><span class="marker MOD15 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h5"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref278858"> <h2 class="h1">Nuclear properties</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD16 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lithium, which exhibits no natural radioactivity, has two isotopes of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mass-number" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">mass number</a> 6 (92.5 percent) and 7 (7.5 percent). The <span id="ref206551"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-7" class="md-crosslink ">lithium-7</a>/<span id="ref206552"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lithium-6" class="md-crosslink ">lithium-6</a> ratio is between 12 and 13.</p><span class="marker MOD16 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD17 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lithium was used in 1932 as the target metal in the pioneering work of British physicist John Cockcroft and Irish physicist Ernest Walton in <span id="ref206553"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/transmutation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">transmuting</a> nuclei by artificially accelerated atomic particles; each lithium nucleus that absorbed a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/proton-subatomic-particle" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">proton</a> became two <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/helium-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">helium</a> nuclei. The bombardment of lithium-6 with slow neutrons produces helium and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/tritium" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">tritium</a> (<sup>3</sup>H); this reaction is a major source of tritium production. Tritium so produced is employed in the manufacture of hydrogen bombs, among other uses such as providing a radioactive hydrogen <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/isotope" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">isotope</a> for biological research.</p><span class="marker MOD17 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD18 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Lithium has potential <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="value" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/value" data-type="EB">value</a> as a heat-transfer fluid for high power-density nuclear reactors. The lithium-7 isotope, the more common stable isotope, has a low nuclear <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/cross-section-physics" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">cross section</a> (that is, it absorbs neutrons very poorly) and thus has potential as a primary coolant for nuclear reactors in which coolant temperatures above about 800 °C (1,500 °F) are required. The isotopes lithium-8 (half-life 0.855 second) and lithium-9 (half-life 0.17 second) have been produced by nuclear bombardment.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD18 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h6"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref278859"> <h2 class="h1">Biological properties</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD19 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The widespread occurrence of lithium in plants results in a wide, although low-level, distribution of lithium in animals. Lithium salts have complex effects when absorbed into the body. They are not highly toxic, although high levels can be fatal. The use of lithium salts and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mineral-water" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">mineral water</a> containing them to treat gout (unsuccessfully) and to <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="ward" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/ward" data-type="EB">ward</a> off depression (successfully) dates to the last half of the 19th century but fell into medical disrepute in the early 20th century. The use of lithium carbonate to treat manic-depression (also known as <span id="ref1030674"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/bipolar-disorder" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bipolar disorder</a>) was demonstrated clinically in 1954. Fears about lithium toxicity delayed its approval for many years, but it is now the major drug for the treatment of manic episodes and for maintenance therapy in bipolar patients.</p><span class="marker MOD19 mod-inline"></span> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/contributor/James-L-Dye/4690">James L. Dye</a></span> </section> <span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":343644,"pageLength":1517,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Lithium | Definition, Properties, Use, & Facts | Britannica