Litiumatomi

Litiumatomi is the Finnish word for a lithium atom. A lithium atom is an element with the chemical symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is the lightest of the alkali metals. In its neutral state, a lithium atom has three protons and three electrons. The electron configuration of lithium is 1s²2s¹, meaning it has two electrons in the first electron shell and one electron in the second, outermost electron shell. This single valence electron is loosely bound and readily lost, making lithium highly reactive and a strong reducing agent.

Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes rapidly in air. It is less dense than water and is the only metal that floats on water. Due to its high reactivity, lithium is never found in its elemental form in nature but rather as compounds in minerals or salts. Its low atomic mass and high electrochemical potential make it crucial in battery technology, particularly in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power many portable electronic devices and electric vehicles.

The nucleus of a lithium atom consists of protons and neutrons. The most common isotope of lithium is lithium-7, which has three protons and four neutrons. Lithium-6 is another stable isotope and is used in nuclear applications. Lithium's chemical properties are characteristic of alkali metals, including forming ionic bonds readily and reacting vigorously with water.