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What is Platinum? Origin / Meaning of the name Platinum
The name originates from
the Spanish word platina meaning 'little silver'. Platinum was
once referred to as one of the 'Noble Metals' which also
included Gold and
Silver. Noble Metals were so
called due to their long association with the aristocracy.
What is Platinum? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Platinum Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Platinum
is
classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 -
12 of the Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.Nearly 75%
of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as
metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Facts about the History
and
Discovery of the Platinum
Element
Platinum was discovered by
astronomers Antonio de Ulloa and Don Jorge Juan y Santacilia
in 1735. However, the first European reference to platinum
appears in 1557 in the writings of the Italian humanist Julius
Caesar Scaliger (1484-1558) in which he described it as a metal
found in South American gold. Sir Charles Wood independently isolated
the element in 1741.
The alchemical symbol for platinum was made by joining the
symbols of
Silver and
Gold.
What is Platinum? Physical properties of Platinum
Platinum is a greyish-white metal of high lustre, and is very malleable and
ductile. It melts in the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe and in the electric furnace;
it is harder than gold and is a good conductor of electricity. In finely
divided form it has the ability to absorb or occlude gases, especially
Oxygen and hydrogen. These gases, when occluded, are in a very active
condition resembling the nascent state, and can combine with each other at
ordinary temperatures. A jet of hydrogen or coal gas directed upon spongy
platinum is at once ignited.
What is Platinum? Occurrence of the Platinum Element
Obtained from platinum ores
Found in a native state and the ore sperrylite
Considered more precious than gold
What is Platinum?
Uses of Platinum
Platinum is very
valuable as a material for the manufacture of chemical utensils
which are required to stand a high temperature or the action of
strong reagents. Platinum crucibles, dishes, forceps,
electrodes, and similar articles are indispensable in the
chemical laboratory. In the industries it is used for such
purposes as the manufacture of pans for evaporating sulphuric
acid, wires for sealing through incandescent light bulbs, and
for making a great variety of instruments. Unfortunately the
supply of the metal is very limited, and the cost is steadily
advancing, so that it is now more valuable than gold.
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe
5×10-7%
% in Sun 9×10-7%
% in Meteorites 0.000098%
% in Earth's Crust 3.7×10-6%
% in Oceans N/A
% in Humans N/A
Associated Uses of Platinum
Used in catalytic converters for automobiles
Making crucibles
Coating missile nose cones
Jet engine fuel nozzles
Medical treatments of cancer
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