Iridium

Iridium


 * Element Classification: Transition Metal **


 * Group Number: 9 **


 * Period Number: 6 **


 * Chemical Symbol: Ir **


 * State at Room Temperature: Solid **


 * Colour: Silvery-White **


 * Atomic Number: 77 **


 * Atomic Mass: 192.2 **


 * Atomic Details: **
 * **Particle ** || **Number ** ||
 * Protons || 77 ||
 * Neutrons || 115 ||
 * Electrons || 77 ||


 * Melting Point: - 2,447 Degrees Celsius **


 * Boiling Point: - 4,427 Degrees Celsius **


 * Interesting Facts: **
 * **a member of the Platinum family **
 * **white like platinum **
 * **the most corrosive metal known **
 * **extremely heavy, hard, rare and expensive silvery **




 * Uses: **
 * **used for electrical contacts in jewellery industries. **
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">the metal is used to harden platinum **
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">used in crucible and other high temperatures **
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">when combined with osmium it forms an alloy used for tipping pens and compass bearings **




 * Discovering and History **
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Iridium was discovered by a British scientist by the name of James Smithson Tennant in 1804. James Smithson Tennant was a primary discoverer at the time of the discovery of Iridium. The Iridium was found in the residue left when crude platinum had been dissolved in a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, other wise know as aqua regia. James Smithson Tennant discovered osmium at the same time as iridium. The name Iridium comes from the Latin word 'Iris' meaning rainbow. it was named this because many of its salts are highly coloured. Iridium has been found in huge amounts in rocks 65 million years ago, which is extremely abnormal. It was discovered in London, England by Smithson Tennant and his crew: Antoine Fourcroy, Louis Vanquelin and Hippolyte Collet-Descotils. **