Element 3

Lithium (Li)

Alkali metal · Period 2 · Group 1 · s-block

Lithium (Li) is element 3 of the periodic table, a alkali metal in period 2, group 1 (s-block) with an atomic mass of 6.94 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
3
Symbol
Li
Atomic mass
6.94 u
Category
Alkali metals
Period
2
Group
1
Block
s-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s1
Shorthand configuration
[He] 2s1
Electrons per shell
2, 1
Oxidation states
+1

Physical properties

Melting point
453.69 K
Boiling point
1615 K
Density
0.534 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
0.98
Atomic radius
167 pm
Covalent radius
128 pm
Van der Waals radius
182 pm
First ionization energy
520 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
60 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Li-77.01692.41%Stable

Common uses

  • Batteries
  • Mood stabilizers
  • Ceramics
  • Lubricants

Discovery

Year
1817
Discovered by
Johan August Arfwedson
Country
Sweden

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