Lithium belongs to Group 1 with sodium and potassium, the elements known as alkali metals.

Excited lithium ions emit red light, so lithium salts produce a crimson-red flame in flame tests and fireworks.

Lithium is less dense than water, so it floats while its reaction releases hydrogen bubbles that cause fizzing.

Lithium has one valence electron and normally loses it, producing the stable Li+ ion.