Rubidium

Rubidium is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. Rubidium is a very soft, silvery-white metal in the alkali metal group. Rubidium metal shares similarities to potassium metal and caesium metal in physical appearance, softness and conductivity.

Characteristics

Rubidium cannot be stored under atmospheric oxygen, as a highly exothermic reaction will ensue, sometimes even resulting in the metal catching fire. Rubidium is the first alkali metal in the group to have a density higher than water, so it sinks, unlike the metals above it in the group. Rubidium has a standard atomic weight of 85.4678.

Applications

Rubidium is used in the manufacture of electronics and in the field of medicine. In particular, it is used in the creation of magnetometers. In medicine, it is used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.

History

Rubidium was discovered in 1861 by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in the mineral lepidolite through the use of a spectroscope.

Occurrence

Rubidium makes up about 0.03% to 0.06% of the Earth's crust and is the 23rd most abundant element within it. It occurs naturally in the minerals leucite, pollucite, and zinnwaldite, which contain up to 1% rubidium content.

Health effects

Rubidium is not known to be necessary for any living organisms. However, rubidium ions have the same charge as potassium ions and are actively taken up and treated by animal cells in similar ways.

See also

• Periodic table
• Alkali metal
• Chemical element

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Rubidium

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