From the Latin word for deepest red, rubidus.

Rubidium was discovered by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in 1861 in the mineral lepidolite through the use of a spectroscope.

Obtained from Lithium production 23rd most abundant element in the earth's crust Occurs naturally in the minerals leucite, pollucite, and zinnwaldite

Rubidium, a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal, is the fourth lightest metallic element. Having a melting point of 39.8C, it can be a liquid at ambient temperatures.

It burns with a violet ame in the presence of air It reacts violently with water, liberating hydrogen, which spontaneously explodes if oxygen or air are present. It reacts vigorously with lower alcohols, and violently with halogens, oxidizing agents, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It also reacts with Teon.

Research and development in chemical and electronic applications Catalyst Photocells Fireworks Vapour turbines Rubidium chloride

Rubidium chloride (RbCl)

is used as a catalyst and additive in gasoline In materials science, RbCl has been used to

prepare molecular nanowires as potential precursors of nanoscale devices. In chromatography, RbCl is studied for its influence on the capillary electrophoretic separation of amino acids labeled with 3-(4carboxybenzoyl)-quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde.

Rubidium Chloride (RbCl)

is used in biochemistry as a biomarker to track

where potassium is taken up by living organisms. used to investigate the gating and permeability of ion channels produced by botulinum neurotoxin types A and E in membranes from cultured PC12 cells.

Rubidium oxide (Rb2O)

is a yellow solid that is a strong base, reacting

easily and exothermically with water to form rubidium hydroxide Store at Room Temperature (15-30 C).

Rubidium Carbonate (Rb2CO3)

its use in vacuum tubes and photocells
used in the glass industry

Rubidium Hydroxide (RbOH)

Is a white powdered solid It is highly corrosive, therefore suitable protective

clothing, gloves and eye-face protection are required when handling this material. is used in scientific research. It is often used sparingly to prevent waste of the expensive element rubidium. Used in atomic clock time code generators

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