Production Of Lithium Metal And Its Compounds example essay topic

THE HISTORY OF LITHIUM What does LITHIUM mean? Lithium is from the Greek word "Lithos" which means "stone". So Lithium is a stone. It got this name because it was discovered from a mineral source whereas the other two common group 1 elements, sodium and potassium, were discovered from plant sources. Lithiums' history goes back not just to the 1800's, but possibly back into time in the Southern Egypt before the birth of Christ. Yet, Swedish student Johan August Arfvedson take credit for discovering it.

It was discovered in the city of Stockholm in Sweden. In the year of 1890, pioneering doctors in Lithia Springs were eighty years ahead of Cade, S chou, and the FDA. The doctors Robert B. Cloud, Christopher Columbus Garrett, and W.H. Whitehead established the first hospital in America, the Lithia Springs Sanitarium, they used natural lithium water in treating alcoholism, opium addiction, and compulsive behavior. Manic depression had not been identified as a form of mental illness at that time. Later in the 1920's Lithium was used as a sedative-hypnotic compound and also an anticonvulsant drug.

Then in the 1940's scientists saw lithium as a salt substitute for those with heart disease. In 1943 it was first recorded to have anti manic effects the research was by J. Cade in his Guinea Pig Test. It started to get a widespread use in the 1960's. then in the year 1999, scientist and the medical profession celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the miracle drug Lithium, a true revolution in the treatment of mental health. LITHIUM THE 3 RD ELEMENT Lithium is a stone. Its was discovered from a mineral source. Lithium is an alkali metal, and like all the other alkali metals, it reacts spontaneously with water, liberating hydrogen gas.

The farther down you go in the periodic table, the more reactive the alkali meals become, and as the uppermost one lithium is the least reactive. But it's still a fairly vigorous reaction, and lithium can catch fire spontaneously on a humid day. lithium is amazingly light, only half the density of water. it would be a great metal for making airplanes out of if it weren't so soft abd didn't explode on rainy days. Instead it's used as a medication for mood disorders, because dissolved as lithium ions, it moderates nerve impulses in a way that, for poorly understood reasons, moderates mood swings. Lithium is a chemical element with symbol Li and atomic number 3. In the periodic table, it is located in group 1, among the alkali metals. Lithium in its pure form is a soft, silver white metal, that tarnishes and oxidizes very rapidly in air and water.

It is the lightest solid element and is primarily used in heat transfer alloys, in batteries and serves as a component in some mood swings. Since World War II, the production of lithium metal and its compounds has increased greatly. Because the metal has the highest specific heat of any solid element, it has found use in heat transfer applications; however, it is corrosive and requires special handling. The metal has been used as an alloying agent, is of interest in synthesis of organic compounds, and has nuclear applications. It ranks as a leading contender as a battery anode material as it has a high electrochemical potential. Lithium is used in special glasses and ceramics.

The glass for the 200-inch telescope at Mt. Palomar contains lithium as a minor ingredient. Lithium chloride is one of the most lyproscopic materials known, and it, as well as lithium bromide, is used in air conditioning and industrial drying systems. Lithium stearate is used as an all-purpose and high-temperature lubricant.

Other lithium compounds are used in dry cells and storage batteries. Lithium was discovered in the mineral peta lite (Lil (Si 2 O 5) 2) by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817. It was first isolated by William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy through the electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li 2 O). Today, larger amounts of the metal are obtained through the electrolysis of lithium chloride (Lil). Lithium is not found free in nature and makes up only 0.0007% of the earth's crust.

Many uses have been found for lithium and its compounds. Lithium has the highest specific heat of any solid element and is used in heat transfer applications. It is used to make special glasses and ceramics, including the Mount Palomar telescope's 200 inch mirror. Lithium is the lightest known metal and can be alloyed with aluminium, copper, manganese, and cadmium to make strong, lightweight metals for aircraft.

Lithium hydroxide (Lion) is used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of spacecraft. Lithium stearate (LiC 18 H 35 O 2) is used as a general purpose and high temperature lubricant. Lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3) is used as a drug to treat manic depression disorder. Lithium reacts with water, but not as violently as sodium. It is the lightest of all metals.

Lithium salts are used in greases, batteries and glass. Lithium carbonate therapy has become the standard treatment for manic-depression, although its action in the brain is still not fully understood. Lithium is a Group 1 (IA) element containing just a single valence electron (1's 22's 1). Group 1 elements are called "alkali metals".

Lithium is a solid only about half as dense as water. A freshly cut chunk of lithium is silvery, but tarnishes in a minute or so in air to give a grey surface. Lithium is mixed (alloyed) with aluminium and magnesium for light-weight alloys, and is also used in batteries, some greases, some glasses, and in medicine.