A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

24

Alkali Metals

Forms

Lithium is the the lightest of all metals:

in fact, it can easily float on water. Pure

lithium is very reactive and exists in nature

only in minerals, such as lepidolite and

petalite. Many lithium minerals dissolve

well in water, and the world’s seawater

contains millions of tonnes of dissolved lithium.

Lithium is found in many foods, such as

mushrooms, prawns, nuts, and seeds. It also

has many everyday applications. Glass composed

of lithium is resistant to heat and is used in

scientific equipment, such as mirrors inside

Lithium 3 3 4 State: SolidDiscovery: 1817

Li

3

These mushrooms

absorb lithium

from the soil.

This water contains

tiny amounts of dissolved

lithium minerals.

Grey-white

cr ystals

Purple cr ystals

containing lithium Shiny pure lithium becomes dull when

it is exposed to air.

Prawns and other

shellfish absorb lithium

from seawater.

Drinking

water

Bar of pure lithium refined in a laboratory

Lepidolit

e

Oy

ster^ m

ushroo

ms

Pale

quartz

Petalite

Prawn

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