Lithium Minerals What are they? What do they do?

LITHIUM MINERALS

Lithium is a Group 1 (IA) element containing just a single valence electron (1s22s1). Group 1 elements are called alkali metals. Lithium is a low density solid only about half as dense as water. A freshly cut lithium chunk is silvery but it tarnishes in a minute or so in air to give a grey surface. It is used in combination with aluminium and magnesium for light-weight alloys, and is also used in batteries, some greases, some glasses, and in medicine.