Rubidium

Rubidium Is a chemical element with the symbol **Rb** and atomic number 37. Rubidium is a soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali metal group, with an atomic mass of 85.4678. Elemental rubidium is highly reactive, with properties similar to those of other elements in Group 1 such as very rapid oxidation in air Rubidium has only one stable isotope, 85Rb, with the isotope 87Rb, which composes almost 28% of naturally occurring rubidium, being slightly with a half-life of 49 billion years—more than three times longer than the estimated age of the universe. German chemists Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff discovered rubidium in 1861 by the newly developed method of Rubidium's compounds have various chemical and electronic applications. Rubidium metal is easily vaporized and has a convenient spectral absorption range, making it a frequent target for laser manipulation of atoms. Rubidium is not known to be necessary for any living organisms. However, like caesium, rubidium ions are handled by living organisms in a manner similar to potassium ions, being actively taken up by plants and by animal cells.


 * __Uses__**
 * rubidium is easily ionized, and so has possible use in "ion engines" for space vehicles (but caesium is somewhat more efficient)
 * used as a "getter" in vacuum tubes
 * photocell component
 * used for making special glasses
 * RbAg4I5 has the highest room temperature conductivity of any known ionic crystal. At ambient temperature, its conductivity is about the same as dilute sulphuric acid, suggesting uses in thin film batteries
 * Name:** Rubidium **Symbol:** Rb **Atomic Number:** 37 **Atomic Mass:** 85.4678 amu **Melting Point:** 38.89 °C (312.04 K, 102.002 °F) **Boiling Point:** 688.0 °C (961.15 K, 1270.4 °F) **Number of Protons/Electrons:** 37 **Number of Neutrons:** 48 **Classification:** Alkali Metal **Crystal Structure:** Cubic **Density @ 293 K:** 1.532 g/cm3 **Color:** silver

Atomic Structure

 * [[image:http://www.chemicalelements.com/bohr/b0037.gif width="309" height="307"]] ||  || **Number of Energy Levels:** 5
 * First Energy Level:** **Second Energy Level:** **Third Energy Level:** **Fourth Energy Level:** **Fifth Energy Level:** ||

Isotopes

 * ** Isotope ** || ** Half Life ** ||
 * Rb-81 || 4.57 hours ||
 * Rb-82 || 2.25 minutes ||
 * Rb-83 || 86.2 days ||
 * Rb-84 || 32.9 days ||
 * Rb-85 || Stable ||
 * Rb-86 || 18.65 days ||
 * Rb-87 || 4.8E10 years ||
 * Rb-88 || 17.7 minutes ||
 * Rb-89 || 15.44 minutes ||
 * Rb-90 || 2.6 minutes ||
 * Rb-90m || 4.3 minutes ||

Facts

 * Date of Discovery:** 1861 **Discoverer:** R. Bunsen **Name Origin:** From the Latin word //rubidus// (red) **Uses:** catalyst, photocells **Obtained From:** lithium production