Lithium is not considered a mineral itself. It is an element on the periodic table. 1 However, it is found in various minerals, which are mined as sources of lithium compounds. These minerals, such as spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite, contain lithium and are used to extract the element for various industrial applications. 2
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Key Takeaways: Is Lithium a Mineral?
- Lithium is an element on the periodic table, not a mineral itself. It is a pure substance that cannot be broken down further by ordinary chemical means.
- However, lithium is found in certain minerals like spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite, which are mined as sources of lithium compounds.
- Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with defined compositions and crystal structures, while lithium is a specific chemical element with unique properties.
Why is lithium an element?
Lithium is an element because it meets the defining characteristics of an element. 3 Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. They are composed of atoms, each with a specific number of protons in its nucleus. 4
Lithium, with the chemical symbol Li, is the third element in the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 3, which means it has three protons in its nucleus. The number of protons determines the identity of an element, so any atom with three protons is lithium. 5
Elements like lithium are fundamental building blocks of matter. They have unique chemical properties and behave in specific ways when they interact with other elements. Lithium is a highly reactive metal, known for its low density and ability to react with water. It is used in various applications, including batteries, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. 6 7
In summary, lithium is an element because it consists of atoms with three protons in their nuclei, and it cannot be further broken down into simpler substances without nuclear reactions.
How is lithium different from minerals?
Lithium and minerals are distinct concepts that are related but have different meanings.
Lithium is a chemical element, represented by the symbol Li on the periodic table. It is a soft, silvery-white metal and is the lightest metal in the periodic table. 8 Lithium is found in nature in various compounds but is primarily extracted and used in its elemental form. 9
On the other hand, minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that have a specific chemical composition and a defined crystal structure. Minerals can be composed of one or more elements, including lithium. In fact, lithium can be found in certain minerals such as spodumene, petalite, lepidolite, and others. 10
These lithium-containing minerals are mined from the Earth’s crust and processed to extract lithium compounds, which can then be converted into elemental lithium or used in various industrial applications. It’s worth noting that while lithium is an important component of some minerals, not all minerals contain lithium.
In summary, lithium refers to a specific chemical element, whereas minerals are naturally occurring substances with a defined composition and crystal structure. Some minerals contain lithium as one of their components, and lithium is extracted from these minerals for various purposes.
Further reading
Is Sulfur a Mineral?
Is Wood a Mineral?
Is Gold a Mineral?
Is Coal a Mineral?
Is Oil a Mineral?
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References
- P. (n.d.). Lithium | Li (Element) – PubChem. Lithium | Li (Element) – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Lithium
- Gao, T., Fan, N., & Dai, T. (2022). Lithium extraction from hard rock lithium ores: technology, resources, environment and cost. China Geology, 0(0), 0–0. https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2022088
- 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
- Purdue.edu https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/atoms/elements.html
- Isotopes & Atomic Mass. (n.d.). Isotopes & Atomic Mass. https://www.chem.fsu.edu/chemlab/chm1020c/lecture%203/02.php
- Used Lithium-Ion Batteries | US EPA. (2019, May 16). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries
- Grey, C. P., & Hall, D. S. (2020, December 8). Prospects for lithium-ion batteries and beyond—a 2030 vision. Nature Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19991-4
- Lithium. (n.d.). Lithium. https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/l/Lithium.htm
- Lithium – Wikipedia. (2021, March 1). Lithium – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium
- 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