Lithium

Atomic Number: 3
Symbol: Li
Atomic Mass: 6.941 u
Number of Neutrons: 4
Melting Point: 1330°C
Boiling Point: 180.5°C
Electrons per shell: 2.1
Ion charge: 1+
Electron configuration: 1s² 2s¹

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Lithium is the 3rd element on the periodic table, and it is a metal with the smallest atomic number. It is a soft, silver alkali metal. Lithium is highly flamible and reactive, and is needed to be handled carefully. This element can be cut through with a knife, and can float on water. It was one of the 3 elements that were produced in large quantities by the big bang. Lithium is very useful in the modern world, it is used making rechargeable batteries for phones, laptops, cars, and clocks. It is found in the earths crust in ores and minerals such as spodumene, petalite, lepidolite, and amblygonite. Lithium is also used as medicine or drug that stablizes your mood and can prevent suicide. This light metal was dicovered by Johan Arfvedson, in 1817 in a piece of volcanic rock. The word lithium is derived from the Greek word "lithos" which means "stone".

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