Lithium is a soft, reactive, silvery-gray metal used in alloys, compounds, and drugs. It has an atomic number of 3, is found in rocks, and is toxic in large quantities. It is used in heat transfer, batteries, and air purification. Lithium carbonate is used to correct brain imbalances and treat severe headaches.
Lithium is an extremely soft, silvery-gray metallic element identified by the symbol Li on the periodic table of elements. The metal is used in a variety of industries, typically in the form of alloys and compounds, as it is highly reactive. Consumers may also be familiar with its salts, which are used as mood-altering drugs.
The reasonably abundant element was discovered in the early 1800s, though it took the work of several chemists to untangle its intricacies. It has an atomic number of 3, making it the lightest solid element and the head of the alkali metal group. Like other metals in this group, lithium is highly reactive in pure form and must be handled with care. Pure metal is not found in nature, as it combines easily with other elements to form compounds.
The element was originally called lithion, derived from the Greek lithos for “stone.” As the name suggests, it is often found in rocks and most of the mining uses igneous rocks as the source. It does not appear to play a biologically important role, although it may be needed in the form of a trace element. In larger quantities, lithium can be toxic to humans, especially if it has been allowed to oxidize and form a caustic oxidation. Typically, it is stored in oil or other non-reactive material to retard corrosion.
The metal has a very high specific heat, meaning it melts slowly and will hold high temperatures. It is often used as a heat transfer medium and is found in alloys, glass and ceramics. The light weight makes it a popular choice in batteries, as it also has a high electrochemical potential, meaning the metal can store energy. Among many other uses, the item can act as an air purifier, trapping carbon dioxide in enclosed spaces such as aircraft and submarines.
The pure metal is not used pharmacologically. Rather, the salts of the metal are, specifically lithium carbonate, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970. The salts of the metal appear to be effective in correcting imbalances in the brain that lead to humor. It acts on the neurotransmitters of the brain and can also be used in the treatment of severe headaches. Because it is potentially dangerous in large quantities, medical professionals usually monitor blood levels during treatment to ensure patients remain healthy.
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