Atomic Number: 37 Period Number: 5 Group Number: 1
Rubidium is a soft and silvery-white element, which belongs to the alkali metal group. Rubidium was discovered by German chemists Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in 1861. Rubidium is the 23rd most abundant element in the earth’s crust and the main sources of rubidium are leucite, pollucite, carnalite and zinnwaldtie. There is only one stable rubidium isotope found in nature. 85Rb.
Because rubidium can be easily ionized, it has been considered for use in “ion engines” for space vehicles. Rubidium has also been proposed for use as a working fluid for vapor turbines and for use in a thermoelectric generator. Rubidium is used as a photocell component.
Rubidium salts are used in glass and ceramics and in fireworks to give them a purple color. Rubidium carbonate is widely used in making glass and as a catalyst for preparing short-chain alcohols from feed gas.
Physical and Chemical properties:
Atomic Weight: 85.4678
Melting Point: 312.46 K
Boiling Point: 961 K
Density: 1.53 g/cm3
Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
Element Classification: Metal
Ionization Energy: 4.177 eV
Oxidation States: +1
