Rubidium

Rubidium 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

All about Rubidium

From the Latin word for deepest red, rubidus.Rubidium is pronounced as roo-BID-ee-em.Rubidium is a highly reactive, silvery-white

metal.Discovered in 1861 by Robert Wilhem Bunsen

and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff , discovered rubidium in the mineral petalite via its dark red spectral lines.

A relatively common element in the crust of the Earth; 16th most common element in the earth's crust.

Most commercial rubidium is extracted from lepidolite.

It was discovered using spectroscopy.The second most electropositive element.23rd most abundant element in the Earth's

crust.

UsesRubidium is used in vacuum tubes as a

getter, a material that combines with and removes trace gases from vacuum tubes.

Manufacture of photocells and in special glasses.

Since it is easily ionized, it might be used as a propellant in ion engines on spacecraft.

 Used for a variety of purposes such as in global navigation systems (GPS and GLONASS) and within the telecommunication industry (cell phone base stations and television stations).

Rubidium melts just a little above body temperature.

Used for medicine in the location of brain tumors.

Used in fireworks for a purple color.

HARMFUL? USEFUL?

Rubidium has no known biological role but has a slight simulator effect on metabolism, probably because it is like potassium. The two elements are found together in minerals and soils, although potassium is much more abundant than rubidium. Plant will adsorb rubidium quite quickly. When stresses by deficiency of potassium some plants, such as sugar beet, will respond to the addition of rubidium. In this way rubidium enters the food chain and so contributes to a daily intake of between 1 and 5 mg.

No negative environmental effects have been report.