Li: meaning, definitions and examples
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Li
[ lɪ ]
chemical element
Li is the chemical symbol for lithium, a soft, silvery-white metal that is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. It is highly reactive and flammable, and it must be stored in mineral oil or an inert atmosphere to prevent it from reacting with moisture and oxygen in the air.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Lithium batteries are commonly used in portable electronics.
- The psychiatrist prescribed lithium for her bipolar disorder.
- Lithium is commonly found in igneous rocks.
Etymology
The name 'lithium' is derived from the Greek word 'lithos', which means stone, referring to the mineral from which it was first isolated. Lithium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson, who found it in petalite, a mineral. It was isolated in its pure form in 1855 by the chemist Robert Bunsen and the physicist Gustav Kirchhoff through the process of electrolysis. Lithium is the third element on the periodic table and is a member of the alkali metals group. It is primarily obtained from mineral spodumene and salt lake brines. Today, lithium has significant applications in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles, as well as in mental health medications known for mood stabilization.