lithium

Everyday

1. Lithium is a very light, soft, silvery metal; it is a chemical element with the symbol Li. tree →
2. Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries for phones, laptops and electric cars. tree →

In the lessons

In science, lithium is the lightest metal and comes third in the periodic table; it reacts with water. In everyday safety, lithium-ion batteries can get very hot or catch fire if damaged, so they should not be punctured or left charging on a bed. Phrases: "lithium battery", "lithium-ion".

Examples

• My tablet has a lithium-ion battery. tree →
• Lithium is the lightest of all metals. tree →
• Its chemical symbol is Li. tree →
• Lithium is so light it can float on oil. tree →
• Never poke or crush a lithium battery. tree →
• Electric cars need a lot of lithium. tree →
• Lithium fizzes when it touches water. tree →

Note

Uncountable: "some lithium". Symbol Li (capital L, small i). Pronounced LITH-ee-um. A damaged battery that swells or smells should be taken away from people and things that burn.