Give the characteristics of the chemical element Lithium.

Lithium is a chemical element from group 1 on the periodic table, that is, an alkali metal. Lithium is a soft, silvery-white element of the alkali metal group and is the lightest metal, especially used in alloys and glasses, in chemical synthesis and in batteries. Many lithium alloys are prepared directly by electrolysis of molten salts containing lithium chloride in the presence of a second chloride, or using cathode materials that react with the deposited lithium to introduce other elements into the melt.