Liitiumi

Liitiumi, known in English as lithium, is a chemical element with symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that tarnishes in air and reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.

Lithium occurs in nature not as a free element but in minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite, and petalite, and in brine deposits. Major producers include Australia (hard rock mining) and Chile and Argentina (brine operations). Global production has risen sharply since the 2010s to support battery manufacturing.

The principal use of lithium is in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Other uses include ceramics and glass production, lubricants, and aluminum–lithium alloys for aerospace. Lithium carbonate is also used as a mood stabilizer in medicine.

Natural lithium consists mainly of two stable isotopes, Li-6 and Li-7, with Li-7 being more abundant. Lithium forms several compounds, including Li2O and LiOH, and a wide range of organolithium reagents used in organic synthesis.

Safety and handling: lithium metal is highly reactive, especially with water, and is typically stored under oil or in an inert atmosphere. It can ignite in air and reacts vigorously with moisture. Lithium compounds generally have relatively low toxicity but require standard chemical safety practices. Mining and brine extraction raise environmental considerations that are monitored in various jurisdictions.