Lithium azide facts for kids
Lithium azide is a special type of chemical compound. It's like a salt that contains lithium and a group of atoms called an azide. Imagine it as a tiny building block made from lithium and another chemical called hydrazoic acid.
This compound is known to be quite unstable. This means it can break apart easily, especially if it gets hot. It's also a toxic substance, so it must be handled very carefully. When lithium azide is heated, it breaks down into two simpler substances: pure lithium and nitrogen gas.
How Lithium Azide is Made
Scientists and chemists can create lithium azide in a lab. One common way to make it is by mixing two different chemical solutions together. They might combine a solution of sodium azide with a solution of either lithium nitrate or lithium sulfate. When these chemicals meet, they swap parts, forming lithium azide.
Another method involves using lithium sulfate and mixing it with barium azide. This reaction also helps to create lithium azide. These processes are done carefully in controlled environments because of the compound's properties.
