Context:
India’s Ministry of Mines recently announced that 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country in Jammu and Kashmir.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Lithium
- Uses
About Lithium:
- Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
- It is the lightest of all the metals and the least dense solid element.
- It is highly reactive and flammable, and easily oxidizes in air or water.
Occurrence:
- Lithium is a rare element and is mostly found in minerals such as spodumene, lepidolite, and petalite.
- It is also found in brines and clays in certain regions of the world, such as the “Lithium Triangle” in South America, which includes Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Uses:
Lithium has a range of industrial applications, including:
- Lithium-ion batteries: It is a critical component of rechargeable batteries used in mobile devices, laptops, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems.
- Aerospace industry: Lithium is used in the manufacturing of aircraft parts due to its lightweight and strong structural properties.
- Glass and ceramics: Lithium is used in the production of heat-resistant glass and ceramics, such as ovenware and laboratory equipment.
- Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
- Lubricants: Lithium is used in greases and lubricants due to its ability to reduce friction and wear.
In conclusion, lithium is a rare and highly reactive metal that has a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries, aerospace industry, glass and ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and lubricants.
-Source: The Hindu
