Lithium
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| Name: | Lithium |
| Symbol: | Li |
| Atomic Number: | 3 |
| Atomic Weight: | 6 |
Lithium is a chemical element, number 3 on the periodic table. It is the lightest alkali metal on the table, with an atomic weight of 3. (TNG: "Rascals")
Lithium in a crystal form was utilized in "lithium crystal circuits," important components in the power-generation systems of Constitution-class starships. In order to be utilized in this fashion, lithium crystals were required to be processed in large "cracking stations," such as the one on planet Delta Vega. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before")
Overexpenditure of power could damage the lithium crystals, as happened to the Starship Enterprise in 2266, when chasing a Class-J starship into an asteroid belt. Forced to extend her shields around the vessel to protect it from asteroid collisions, the Enterprise burned out three of four lithium crystals, forcing the crew to supplement with battery power. The fourth crystal subsequently failed, overstressed from handling all of the ship's power. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")
