Rubidium (Rb)
Rubidium is a soft, highly reactive alkali metal that ignites spontaneously in air.
Properties of Rubidium
- Atomic number
- 37
- Category
- Alkali Metal
- Atomic mass
- 85.468 u
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 5s¹
- Melting point
- 312.45 K (39.3 °C)
- Boiling point
- 961 K (687.85 °C)
- Density
- 1.532 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 0.82
- Appearance
- Silvery-white metal
- Discovered by
- Robert Bunsen (1861)
Facts about Rubidium
- Rubidium was discovered using a spectroscope — its name means "deep red" for its spectral lines!
- Rubidium catches fire if exposed to air!
- Rubidium is used in the most accurate atomic clocks in the world!
- Rubidium melts on a hot summer day — its melting point is only 39°C!