Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / What is the Difference Between Cobalt and Lithium

What is the Difference Between Cobalt and Lithium

October 2, 2021 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between cobalt and lithium is that cobalt is a transition metal that is toxic, whereas lithium is an alkali metal that is nontoxic.

Cobalt and lithium are chemical elements we can find in the environment occurring naturally as components of other compounds. They have different chemical and physical properties.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cobalt 
3. What is Lithium 
4. Cobalt vs Lithium in Tabular Form
5. Summary  – Cobalt vs Lithium 

What is Cobalt?

Cobalt is a chemical element having the symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is a metal and a d-block element in the periodic table. It is in group 9 and period 4. Moreover, we can classify it as a transition metal. Cobalt does not occur as an individual metal on earth’s crust; instead, it occurs in combination with other elements. However, we can produce the free element using the smelting process. Cobalt is a hard, lustrous bluish-gray metal.

The atomic mass of this element is 58.93 amu. The electron configuration of cobalt metal is [Ar] 3d7 4s2. At standard pressure and temperature, it is in the solid state. The melting point and boiling points are 1495 °C and 2927 °C, respectively. The most common oxidation states of cobalt are +2, +3 and +4. Its crystal structure is a hexagonal close-packed structure.

Cobalt vs Lithium in Tabular Form

Moreover, cobalt is a ferromagnetic material. This means it is highly attracted to magnets. The specific gravity of this metal is 8.9, which is a very high value. Halogens and sulfur can attack this metal. However, it is a weakly reducing metal. We can protect it via oxidation by a passivating oxide film.

When considering the production of cobalt, we can use ores of cobalt such as cobaltite, erythrite, glaucodot, and skutterudite. However, manufacturers often obtain this metal by reducing the cobalt byproducts of nickel and copper mining.

What is Lithium?

Lithium is a chemical element having atomic number 3 and the chemical symbol Li. It is an alkali metal. According to the big bang theory of the creation of the earth, lithium, hydrogen, and helium are the major chemical elements produced at the earliest stages of world creation. The atomic weight of this element is 6.941, and the electron configuration is [He] 2s1. Moreover, lithium belongs to the s block since it is in group 1 of the periodic table, and the melting and boiling points of this element are 180.50 °C and 1330 °C, respectively. Lithium appears in silvery-white colour, and if we burn this metal, it gives a crimson coloured flame.

Cobalt and Lithium - Side by Side Comparison

Furthermore, lithium metal is very light and soft. Therefore, we can cut it easily using a knife. Also, it can float on water, resulting in an explosive chemical reaction. Lithium has some unique properties other alkali metals do not have. For example, it is the only alkali metal that can react with nitrogen gas, and it forms lithium nitride upon this reaction. It is the smallest element among other members of this group. In addition, it has the least density among solid metals.

What is the Difference Between Cobalt and Lithium?

Cobalt is a chemical element having the symbol Co and atomic number 27, while Lithium is a chemical element having the atomic number 3 and chemical symbol Li. The key difference between cobalt and lithium is that cobalt is a transition metal that is toxic whereas lithium is an alkali metal that is nontoxic.

The below infographic lists the differences between cobalt and lithium in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Cobalt vs Lithium

Cobalt and lithium are chemical elements that we can find in the environment occurring naturally as components of other compounds. They have different chemical and physical properties. The key difference between cobalt and lithium is that cobalt is a transition metal that is toxic, whereas lithium is an alkali metal that is nontoxic.

Reference:

1. “Lithium: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cobalt ore 2” By Hi-Res Images of Chemical Elements – (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lithium element” By W. Oelen – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Chlorine 35 and 37Difference Between Chlorine 35 and 37 Lactoferrin Complex Protein StructureDifference Between Lactoferrin and Colostrum Liquid oxygen AppearanceDifference Between Liquid Oxygen and Gas Oxygen What is ButylDifference Between Isobutyl and Sec-butyl Ferro Manganese vs Silico ManganeseWhat is the Difference Between Ferro Manganese and Silico Manganese

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Alkalinity and Basicity

Difference Between Alkalinity and Basicity

Difference Between Primary and General Election

What is the Difference Between Diarrhea and Gastroenteritis

What is the Difference Between Diarrhea and Gastroenteritis

Difference Between Hoist and Crane

Difference Between Hoist and Crane

Difference Between WCDMA and LTE

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Diphtheria and Whooping Cough
  • What is the Difference Between Polyester and Satin
  • What is the Difference Between Syphilis and Gonorrhea
  • What is the Difference Between Stainless Steel and Sterling Silver
  • What is the Difference Between Infrared and Induction Cooker
  • What is the Difference Between Polyester and Viscose
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.