Notes

otons in the nucleus, but like many other alkalai metals it has only one valence electron.
Interesting Lithium Facts:
It is the least reactive of the alkalai metals.
The nucleus of lithium is fairly unstable.
Because of this instability, lithium alone almost never appears in nature.
While it appears metallic and shiny, it begins to corrode immediately in air due to the moisture present.
It is a metal, but soft enough to be cut with a knife.
The first man-made nuclear reaction took place in 1932 when lithium was converted into helium through transmutation.
Lithium is used in producing glass and ceramics, but most well-known for batteries.
Because of its great strength in small amounts, it is used in common alloys.
All organisms contain lithium in small amounts, but does not seem to serve a biological purpose.
Lithium ions are used in creating mood-altering medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Lithium has two stable isotopes in nature, one of which has a 92.5% abundance.
According to theory, lithium is one of three elements believed to have been created during the Big Bang.
Lithium is very abundant in sea water and if often mined from brines and clay.
Lithium salts burn with a bright red flame.
The current availability of lithium is a deciding factor in the creation of larger batteries for electric car production.
Lithium has become carefully guarded since it is a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine.