What is Yttrium? Yttrium is a silvery metallic transition metal. It is the 39th element in the periodic table. It has similar chemical properties to lanthanides (elements 57-71 in the periodic table) and likewise, yttrium is also classified as a rare-earth element. Rare-earth elements are heavier than iron and are found in low concentrations in the environment. Yttrium is never found as a pure ele... »
What is Bismuth? Bismuth is a post-transition metal in group 15, period 6 of the periodic table. Pure bismuth is a solid, lustrous and silver in appearance. It has historically been used in medicine. It also has many current applications, including cosmetics, alloys, paint, and fireworks. Bismuth’s Place in the Periodic Table Group 15 elements are known as pnictogens. Pnictogen is der... »
What is Francium? Francium is quite a unique element. It is the 87th element on the periodic table and is denoted by the symbol Fr. This element is extremely radioactive, it’s most stable isotope, francium-223 only has a half life of 22 minutes! Much about francium remains quite unknown, and scientists believe that many questions regarding this element may never actually be answered due to its nat... »
What is Tellurium? Tellurium is a silver-white metalloid and it is one of the rarest stable elements on Earth. Metalloids have properties that are between metals and non-metals. Tellurium is also a member of the group 16 elements, which are called chalcogens. Tellurium’s Place in the Periodic Table Tellurium is a group 16 element in period 5. Group 16 elements are known as and include... »
What is Tantalum? At room temperature and pressure, tantalum is a shiny, silvery metal. It is a transition metal and is therefore located with the other transition metals in the middle of the periodic table (the d-block). Tantalum is used in electronics, surgical implants, and applications that require resistance to corrosion. Tantalum’s Place in th... »
What is Samarium? Samarium is a rare earth element of the lanthanide series, which are elements with atomic numbers from 57 to 71. It is a hard silvery metal. It has numerous applications in magnets, industrial chemical processes, cancer radiotherapy, and nuclear reactors. Samarium’s Place in the Periodic Table Samarium is a lanthanide. Lanthanides, scandium and yttrium make a group o... »
What is Xenon? Xenon is a colorless, dense, and odorless gas. It is a member of group 18 elements, which are also known as the noble gases. Noble gases have very low reactivity. This makes them useful for applications where chemical reactions are unwanted. Xenon is found and obtained from the atmosphere. When voltage is applied across an electrode in xenon gas it produces a bright flash light, so ... »
What is Gallium? Gallium is a transition metal in group 13 and period 4 of the periodic table (Fig 1). It has a silvery blue appearance (Fig 2). It is solid but soft at standard temperature and pressure, and has a low melting temperature of 29.76 °C. Gallium has applications in electronics, solar energy, astronomy, and medical technology. Gallium’s Place in the Periodic Table Gallium ... »
What is Bromine? Bromine is a non-metal in group 17, period 4 of the periodic table. Pure bromine exists as a brown liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Bromine is used in chemical reactions to make flame retardants, pesticides, medications, and pH sensitive dyes. Bromine’s Place in the Periodic Table Bromine is a halogen like all the elements located in group 17. Halogens can... »
What is Iridium? Iridium is a transition metal that is the 77th element of the periodic table. It is a very hard, brittle, silvery-white metal. In fact, it is so hard, that its most common use is as a hardening agent in many metal alloys, especially platinum. Because its addition makes metals harder, it’s used to make several different kinds of heavy-duty equipment. Iridium’s Place in... »