Name       : Lithium
Symbol     : Li
Atomic #   : 3
Atom weight: 6.941
Melting P. : 180.54
Boiling P. : 1342
Oxidation  : +1
Pronounced : LITH-i-em
From       : Greek lithos, "stone"
Identified : Johan August Arfwedson in 1817
Appearance : Soft, silvery-white metal
Note       : Lightest and simplest of all solid elements.

[Properties]

  Lithium heads the list of Group IA metals known as alkali metals.  This
group includes some other metals with familiar-sounding names and a few
that are relatively obscure to the everyday world: sodium (Na), potassium
(K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).  One of the
distinguishing characteristics of these metals is their great affinity for
forming strong reducing agent.  Like the other alkali metals, lithium 
reduces water to yield a hydroxide and liberate hydrogen gas and heat.