Lithium is a metal. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal with the atomic number 3 and the symbol Li in the periodic table. 1 It is the lightest metal and is highly reactive, particularly with water and air. 2
Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.
So let’s dive right into it.
Key Takeaways: Is Lithium a Metal or Nonmetal?
- Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that is highly reactive with water and air.
- Lithium possesses all the characteristics that are typical of metals such as being malleable, ductile, and having a metallic appearance.
- Lithium is classified as an alkali metal and is the lightest metal in the group with the lowest density.
- Lithium is not found in its pure elemental form in nature and is typically extracted from minerals through a series of processing steps.
Explanation: Why is lithium a metal?
Lithium is a metal because it has certain properties that are characteristic of metals.
Metals are elements that have a few things in common:
- They are solid at room temperature (with the exception of mercury). 3
- They are good conductors of electricity and heat.
- They are malleable, which means they can be hammered into thin sheets.
- They are ductile, which means they can be stretched into wires.
- They have a shiny, metallic appearance. 4
Lithium possesses all of these characteristics. It is a silver-white metal that is soft and malleable. It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. 5
Additionally, lithium has a low density, which means it is light for its size. This makes it an attractive material for use in batteries and other electronic devices. 6
Overall, the combination of these properties makes lithium a metal.
What type of metal is lithium classified on the periodic table?
Lithium is classified as an alkali metal on the periodic table. Alkali metals are a group of elements that are located in the first column, or group 1, of the periodic table. 7
They are called “alkali” because they react strongly with water to form alkaline solutions.
The other elements in this group are sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.
Alkali metals have similar properties, such as low density, low melting and boiling points, and high reactivity. 8
Lithium is the lightest metal and has the lowest density of all metals in the alkali metal group. 9
Does lithium exist as a pure metal?
Lithium is found in nature primarily in the form of compounds rather than as elemental lithium. Lithium is a relatively rare element and is not found in its pure form in substantial quantities on Earth.
It is typically found in minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite, and petalite, which are mined and then processed to extract lithium. 10
The process of extracting lithium from these minerals involves several steps, including crushing and grinding the ore, separating the lithium-containing compounds from other minerals in the ore, and then further processing the lithium-containing compounds to produce lithium carbonate, which is the most common form of lithium used in industry.
So, in summary, while lithium is an element, it is not commonly found in nature in its elemental form.
Instead, it is typically found in the form of lithium-containing compounds that are extracted from minerals through a series of processing steps.
Further reading
Why is Boron a Metalloid?
Is Boron a Metal?
Is Hydrogen a Metal?
Why is Oxygen a Nonmetal?
Is Neon a Metal?
Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. He is a founder of Pediabay and is passionate about helping students through his easily digestible explanations.
Read more about our Editorial process.
References
- Lithium – Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table. (n.d.). Lithium – Element Information, Properties and Uses | Periodic Table. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/3/lithium
- Chemistry of Lithium (Z=3). (2013, October 2). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/1_s-Block_Elements/Group__1%3A_The_Alkali_Metals/Z003_Chemistry_of_Lithium_(Z3)
- hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Solids/metal.html
- Properties of metals – Metallic structure and bonding – Eduqas – GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9m6v9q/revision/2
- Lithium – Wikipedia. (2021, March 1). Lithium – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium
- Boudreaux, K. A. (n.d.). The Parts of the Periodic Table. The Parts of the Periodic Table. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/periodic/periodic_main1.htm
- A. (2020, September 2). Where are Alkali Metals located on the Periodic Table? Periodic Table Guide. https://periodictableguide.com/alkali-metals-located-on-the-periodic-table/
- Information on Alkali Metals – Stanford Environmental Health & Safety. (n.d.). Information on Alkali Metals – Stanford Environmental Health & Safety. https://ehs.stanford.edu/reference/information-alkali-metals
- Alkali metal – General properties of the group. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/alkali-metal
- Lithium Deposits in the United States | U.S. Geological Survey. (2020, June 1). Lithium Deposits in the United States | U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/data/lithium-deposits-united-states
