Lithium bromide facts for kids

Lithium bromide (LiBr) is a special chemical compound. It is made from two elements: lithium and bromine. Think of it as a type of salt. It's often used in machines that cool air, like air conditioning systems.

It's very good at absorbing water from the air. This makes it useful as a desiccant, which is a substance that helps keep things dry.

How Lithium Bromide is Made

Lithium bromide is created in a lab. Scientists can make it by mixing a watery solution of lithium carbonate with hydrobromic acid. Another way is to react lithium hydroxide with bromine. These chemical reactions combine the elements to form lithium bromide.

What Lithium Bromide is Used For

Lithium bromide has several important uses, especially in cooling systems.

In Air Conditioning

One of its main jobs is in air conditioning systems. It acts as a desiccant, which means it pulls moisture out of the air. This helps to make the air feel cooler and less humid.

In Cooling Systems

It is also used in a special type of cooling system called an absorption refrigerator. In these systems, lithium bromide works with water to create a cooling effect. It's a bit like how your fridge works, but it uses heat and chemical reactions instead of a compressor.

In Chemistry Labs

In chemistry, solid lithium bromide can be used in different experiments. It helps to remove certain parts from organic compounds. It can also help to clean and separate important chemicals like steroids and prostaglandins.

Images for kids

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  This graph shows how much lithium bromide can dissolve in water at different temperatures.

See also

In Spanish: Bromuro de litio para niños