Rubidium

By: AGett and JFel
37 Rb Rubidium ** Isotopes: 26 Color and texture: Soft silver white metal that oxidises rapidly and ignites in air. % Abundance: Earth's Crust/p.p.m., 90 Seawater/p.p.m., 0.12 Atmosphere/p.p.m., N/A Sun (Relative to H=1E12): 400 State of matter: It is a soild at room temperature. It's melting point is 39degC which is a littler hotter then 102degF. ** Health hazard :** Health Hazard:TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. (DOT, 2000) History and Uses: Rubidium was discovered by the German chemists Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchoff in 1861 while analyzing samples of the mineral lepidolite (KLi2Al(Al, Si)3O10(F, OH)2) with a device called a spectroscope. The sample produced a set of deep red spectral lines they had never seen before. Bunsen was eventually able to isolate samples of rubidium metal. Today, most rubidium is obtained as a byproduct of refining lithium. Rubidium is used in vacuum tubes as a getter, a material that combines with and removes trace gases from vacuum tubes. It is also used in the manufacture of photocells and in special glasses. Since it is easily ionized, it might be used as a propellant in ion engines on spacecraft. Recent discoveries of large deposits of rubidium suggest that its usefulness will increase as its properties become better understood. Rubidium forms a large number of compounds, although none of them has any significant commercial application. Some of the common rubidium compounds are: rubidium chloride (RbCl), rubidium monoxide (Rb2O) and rubidium copper sulfate Rb2SO4·CuSO4·6H20). A compound of rubidium, silver and iodine, RbAg4I5, has interesting electrical characteristics and might be useful in thin film batteries. Rubidium is a solid at room temperature. Rubidium, like sodium and potassium, is almost always in its +1 oxidation state. The human body tends to treat Rb+ ions as if they were potassium ions, and therefore concentrates rubidium in the body's electrolytic fluid. The ions are not particularly toxic, and are relatively quickly removed in the sweat and urine. However, taken in excess it can be dangerous, as it is slightly radioactive. Rubidium collects in tumours but not in normal tissue so it can thus be used to locate brain tumours. [Level|**Shell Model**] non- used rubidium used rubidium Rubidium costs$25 per gram so for $100.00 I could buy 4 grams of rubidium. Rubidium is a relatively abundant element at about 35 to 75 parts per million. This makes it about as abundant as **nickel, chromium, zinc,** and **copper.** The most common ores of rubidium are lepidolite, carnallite, and pollucite. Rubidium is also found in seawater and in mineral springs. Rubidium is a relatively abundant element at about 35 to 75 parts per million. This makes it about as abundant as **nickel, chromium, zinc,** and **copper.** The most common ores of rubidium are lepidolite, carnallite, and pollucite. Rubidium is also found in seawater and in mineral springs.
 * Atomic Number:** 37
 * Atomic Weight:** 85.4678
 * Melting Point:** 312.46 K (39.31°C or 102.76°F)
 * Boiling Point:** 961 K (688°C or 1270°F)
 * Density:** 1.53 grams per cubic centimeter
 * Phase at Room Temperature:** Solid
 * Element Classification:** Metal
 * Period Number:** 5 **Group Number:** 1 **Group Name:** Alkali Metal
 * What's in a name?** From the Latin word for deepest red, **rubidus**.
 * Say what?** Rubidium is pronounced as **roo-BID-i-em**.
 * Biological role: ** [|**Biological role**] ** of rubidium: rubidium has no biological role but is said to stimulate the metabolism.
 * **[radius|Ionic Radius]:** 1.52[|Å]
 * **[Orbital|Filling Orbital]:** 5s1
 * **Number of [|Electrons] (with no charge):** 37
 * **Number of [|Neutrons] (most common/stable nuclide):** 48
 * **Number of [|Protons]:** 37
 * **[State|Oxidation States]:** 1
 * **[Electrons|Valence Electrons]:** 5s1