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Understanding the element
Lithium (Li) is chemical element 3. It belongs to the alkali metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in batteries, special glasses and alloys.
batteriesspecial glassesalloys
Standard atomic weight[6.938, 6.997]
What its position in the table tells us
Lithium sits in period 2, group 1 and the S block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Lithium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Lithium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses