Lithium nitrate facts for kids
Lithium nitrate is a special chemical compound. It's made of two parts: lithium and nitrate ions. Its chemical formula is LiNO3. This means it has one lithium atom, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms all connected together.
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What is Lithium Nitrate Like?
Lithium nitrate is a solid that doesn't have any color. It often looks like a white powder or crystals. When you heat lithium nitrate, it makes a bright red flame! This cool trick is why it's used in fireworks. It's also an oxidizing agent. This means it helps other things burn by providing oxygen. If you heat it up a lot, lithium nitrate breaks down. It turns into lithium oxide, nitrogen dioxide gas, and oxygen gas.
How is Lithium Nitrate Made?
You can make lithium nitrate in a lab. It's usually made by mixing nitric acid with a substance that contains lithium. For example, you could use lithium, lithium hydroxide, lithium oxide, or lithium carbonate. When these react with nitric acid, they form lithium nitrate.
What is Lithium Nitrate Used For?
One of the most exciting uses for lithium nitrate is in fireworks! It helps create the beautiful red colors you see in the sky. It's also used in flares, which are bright lights used for signaling or illumination.
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See also
In Spanish: Nitrato de litio para niños
