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Atomic Mass 85.46 |
Rb Name Origin: Latin rubidus, "deepest red" |
Atomic Number 37 |
@ room temp is a natural solid, can be a liquid. |
Appears in nature as a compound form |
Description: a soft silvery-white metallic element of the alkali metal group. It will spontaneously ignite air and reacts violently in water. It tarnishes immediately upon exposure to air. |
Rubidium was discovered in 1861 by German chemist Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and German physicist Gustav Robert Kirchoff. It was found using a spectroscope in the minerals lepidolite, pollucite and zinnwaldite. |
Uses: rubidium is used in making certain catalysts, in photoelectric cells, and in special glasses. It can also be used in thin film batteries because of its high conductivity. Rubidium is used as a getter in vacuum tubes. Rubidium has been considered for use in ion engines for space vehicles because it can be ionized easily. |
| Melting Point: 39.31 C | Boiling Point: 688 C | Specific Heat Capacity: 0.363 J/gK |
Electron Configuration 1sē2sē2p63s23p64s23d10 |
