rubidium

Rubidium  ◈Element Name-[|Rubidium]  ◈Element Symbol- Rb  ◈Atomic Number- 37 ◈Most Common Mass Number- 85.4678

◈Physical State at Room Temperature- Solid  ◈Meaning of the Element's Name or Latin/Greek Name- Originates from the Latin word 'Rabidius meaning red.  ◈Uses of the Element- Rubidium salts are used in glasses and ceramics.  ◈Biological Importance of the Element-There is evidence of some degree of toxicity of rubidium for humans. In experiences with animals, the inclusion of the element in the diet can cause neuromuscular hyperirritability symptoms and reproductive deficiencies. ◈Who Discovered the Element- Rubidium was discovered in 1862 by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff

◈How the Element was Discovered- 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.

◈Physical Properties of the Element- Rubidium is a soft, silvery-white metal at room temperature. Its melting point is only around 40C, so it's possible for it to melt on a hot day, or if squeezed in the hand. That makes it one of the few metals that can be a liquid in a natural environment (Mercury has the lowest temperature needed to become liquid, and is liquid at room temperature).

◈Chemical Properties of the Element- Rubidium is one of the most reactive elements in the periodic table. It's actually the 2nd most reactive metal element (after Caesium). It will spontaneously ignite in air (forming some of its oxides) and reacts violently with water (producing rubidium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, which is immediately ignited). The flames are a yellowish-purple color. Because of its reactivity, rubidium has to be stored in either kerosene, nitrogen gas, or in a vacuum bottle.  ◈Common Compounds of the Element, if any- 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.  ◈Common Ions of the Element, if any- ◈Isotopes of the Element, if any- [|**Rubidium**] (Rb) has 24 isotopes, with naturally occurring rubidium being composed of just two isotopes; Rb-85 (72.2%) and the radioactive Rb-87 (27.8%). Normal mixes of rubidium are radioactive enough to fog [|photographic film] in approximately 30 to 60 days. Standard atomic mass is 85.4678(3).

◈At least 2 Pictures of the Element in Some Form-



◈ At least 1 link to another element's page- (zinc)http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/zn.html ◈ Resource- http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/rb-en.htm, , http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/37.html, http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/37.html, http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele037.html

◈About Rubidium Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNdijknRxfU, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25aHaZlgi5g

◈More info - Boling point-688.0˚C - melting point- 38.89˚C - Cost $25 per gram - It reacts strongly in water and bursts into flames when exposed to air. - It is the 16th most common element in the earth's crust. - Rubidium can be liquid at room temperature.