The metal that melts in one's hands - Gallium

a-condor (62)in #steemstem • 6 years ago

GALLIUM

Gallium
Chemical symbol: Ga
Atomic number: 31
Melting point: 29.76°C
In the periodic table,
Group: 13
Period: 4
Group members: Aluminium, Indium, Rubidium, Thallium.

Gallium is a metal with the chemical symbol Ga.
Gallium is not free in nature but usually occurs as Gallium (III) compounds (with +3 oxidation state or sometimes +1) in trace amounts in zinc ores or bauxite. However, it can be easily obtained by smelting.

Elemental gallium is a soft, silvery-blue metal at standard temperature and pressure.

It is a brittle solid at low temperaure.
Liquid at > 29.76°C.

The body has a temperature of 37°C. Therefore, after a while Gallium tends to melt in one's hands.

Gallium unlike mercury is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. Amongst its group, gallium is the least reactive and least (non-) toxic.

Gallium is very useful in form of alloy. It is used in making alloys with low melting points.
Ga easily alloy with other metals. It attack most other metals by diffusing into their lattices. Some of which include;

Galistan(70% Ga, 21.5% Indium, 10% Tin) used in thermometer in place of mercury.

Gallium nitride as a semi-conductor and in producing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Gallium arsenide in microwave circuits.

Gallium nitrate in pharmaceuticals.

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