Table of Contents
What Is Gallium?
Gallium – Discovery: Gallium is a soft, silver-white metal that is found mainly in the earth’s crust. It has a melting point of 29.76 degrees Celsius, a boiling point of 2477 degrees Celsius, and a density of 5.9 grams per cubic centimeter. Gallium is a member of the group 13 elements in the periodic table, also known as the aluminum family. It is used in the manufacture of electronic devices, such as transistors and integrated circuits.
How was Gallium Discovered?
In 1875, chemist Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran was working on a new method to extract aluminum from its ore. He mixed the aluminum with potassium and sodium and heated the mixture. However, instead of aluminum, he found a new metal. He named the metal gallium, after the Latin word for Gaul, a region in France.
Physical Properties of Gallium
Gallium is a soft, silvery metal with a low melting point. It is a member of the group 13 of the periodic table, and is thus related to aluminum and indium. Gallium has a density of 5.9 grams per cubic centimeter, and a melting point of 29.78 degrees Celsius. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, and is non-toxic.
Isotopes of Gallium
There are three stable isotopes of gallium: gallium-69, gallium-71, and gallium-73. Gallium-69 is the most common, making up more than 60% of natural gallium. Gallium-71 is the least common, making up less than 2% of natural gallium. Gallium-73 is made artificially and is not found in nature.
Gallium Properties in Terms of Chemistry
- Gallium is a soft, silver-white metal that is classified as a post-transition metal. It has a melting point of 29.7 degrees Celsius, a boiling point of 2477 degrees Celsius, and a density of 5.9 grams per cubic centimeter. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity and is not magnetic. Gallium is found in nature as a component of the mineral bauxite.
- Gallium is used in the production of electronic devices and lighting. It is also used in medical imaging and as a pharmaceutical drug.
Gallium Uses
Gallium is a soft, silvery metal that is used in a variety of electronic devices. It is a component of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, and solar panels. Gallium is also used in heat-sink applications, where it is thermally conductive and can help to dissipate heat.
