Is Lithium Solid, Liquid or Gas? (+ 3 More Things to Know)

Lithium is a solid at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure. ¹ It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive and flammable, and has a low density. At high temperatures, lithium can melt and become a liquid. 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.

Why does lithium exist as a solid at room temperature?

Lithium exists as a solid at room temperature because it has a relatively high melting point of 180.5°C (356.9°F) and a low boiling point of 1342°C (2448°F). This means that at room temperature (around 25°C or 77°F), lithium remains in its solid state. ³

The reason for lithium’s high melting point is due to its strong metallic bonding. Lithium atoms have one valence electron, which is easily lost to form a positively charged ion. ⁴ When many lithium atoms come together, they form a lattice structure in which the positively charged ions are held together by a sea of delocalized electrons. This metallic bond is strong and requires a significant amount of energy to break, resulting in a high melting point. ⁵

Additionally, lithium has a low atomic radius and a low atomic weight, which contributes to its solid state at room temperature. Atoms with smaller radii tend to have stronger bonding due to their increased electrostatic attraction, while lower atomic weights result in weaker van der Waals forces between atoms, which could otherwise promote liquefaction. All these factors combined help explain why lithium is solid at room temperature.

Does lithium exist in a liquid state?

Yes, lithium can exist in a liquid state. Lithium has a melting point of 180.5°C (356.9°F) and a boiling point of 1342°C (2448°F), so if it is heated above its melting point, it will melt and become a liquid. Similarly, if it is heated above its boiling point, it will vaporize and become a gas.

In fact, lithium is commonly used as a liquid in certain industrial and scientific applications. For example, it is used as a coolant in some nuclear reactors due to its high thermal conductivity and low neutron capture cross-section. ^{6 7 8}

Lithium is also used as a component of certain types of batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, which rely on the movement of lithium ions between a cathode and an anode to produce electrical energy.

However, pure liquid lithium is not commonly encountered outside of these specialized applications, as it is highly reactive and can react violently with air or water.

How is solid lithium different from liquid lithium?

Solid lithium and liquid lithium have several key differences:

• Molecular arrangement: In solid lithium, the lithium atoms are arranged in a regular, crystalline lattice structure, with each lithium atom bonded to its neighboring atoms in a fixed pattern. In liquid lithium, the atoms are not arranged in a fixed pattern and are instead free to move around and interact with each other.
• Physical properties: Solid lithium is a hard, dense, and brittle material with a metallic luster. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. In contrast, liquid lithium is a dense, silvery-white metal that flows freely and has a lower viscosity than many other metals. It is also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
• Reactivity: Solid lithium is highly reactive and can easily react with air or water to form lithium oxide and lithium hydroxide, respectively. ⁹ In contrast, liquid lithium is even more reactive and must be handled with extreme caution, as it can react violently with air or water, potentially leading to explosions or fires.
• Melting and boiling points: Solid lithium has a melting point of 180.5°C (356.9°F) and a boiling point of 1342°C (2448°F). In contrast, liquid lithium does not have a fixed melting or boiling point, as its properties change with temperature and pressure. However, it typically remains a liquid at temperatures above 180.5°C.

Further reading

Is Magnesium a Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Is Nitrogen a Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Is Neon a Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Is Carbon a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid?
Is Nitrogen a Metal or Nonmetal? 

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