Lithium, Li Ar

24 LITHIUM, Li (Ar 6 94) Lithium is a silver-white metal it is the lightest metal known (density 0-534 g ml-1 at 0°) and floats upon petroleum. It melts at 186°C. It oxidizes on exposure to air, and reacts with water forming lithium hydroxide and liberating hydrogen, but the reaction is not so vigorous as with sodium and potassium. The metal dissolves in acids with the formation of salts. The salts may be regarded as derived from the oxide, Li20. 

Some of the salts, notably the chloride, LiCl, and the chlorate, LiC103, are 

Reactions of lithium ions To study these reactions use a m solution of lithium chloride, LiCl alternatively dissolve lithium carbonate, Li2C03, in the minimum volume of 2m hydrochloric acid. 

Sodium phosphate solution partial precipitation of lithium phosphate, Li3P04, in neutral solutions the precipitate is more readily obtained from dilute solutions on boiling. Precipitation is almost complete in the presence of sodium hydroxide solution. The precipitate is more soluble in ammonium chloride solution than in water (distinction from magnesium). 

Upon boiling the precipitate with barium hydroxide solution, it passes into solution as lithium hydroxide (difference from magnesium). 

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