Lithium

Lithium
Properties
Atomic symbol	Li
Atomic number	3
Classification	Alkali metal
Atomic mass	6.941 amu
Number of Stable Isotopes	2
Density (grams per cc)	0.534 g/cm^3
Other Information
Date of discovery	1817
Name of discoverer	Johann Arfvedson
Name origin	From the Greek word lithos (stone)
Uses	Batteries, glasses, ceramics, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, nuclear weapons
Obtained from	spodumene, lepidolite, pentalite, amblygonite

Lithium is an element in the alkali metals class of the periodic table. It is the lightest solid element -- about half the density of water. Like the other alkali metals, lithium reacts violently with water; it is usually stored in oil.

Lithium was discovered in petalite in 1817, and isolated in 1821 by W. T. Brand and Sir Humphrey Davy, by electrolyis of lithium oxide.

Lithium carbonate is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and some other mental health conditions.