Gallium Facts
Gallium Facts
|
| Interesting Gallium Facts: |
|---|
| Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered gallium in 1875 using a spectroscope. |
| He later isolated the metal by electrolysis. |
| Some of the alloys of gallium with other metals are liquid at room temperature. |
| This property made gallium an early metal for thermometric uses. |
| Now, gallium is primarily important for microelectronics, specifically microwaves. |
| Gallium is also used to produce blue or violet LEDs. |
| Gallium does not occur in its natural elemental state, but is extracted from several minerals. |
| Once it is extracted, its purest form has an intense silver color. |
| When gallium is added to many metals, such as steel, it causes them to become brittle. |
| Gallium actually alloys quite readily to other metals. |
| One of gallium's most interesting properties is its ability to be a liquid when held in a human hand. |
| It then refreezes when removed from the hand. |
| Gallium often supercool below its melting and freezing points. |
| Because of its state at normal temperatures, gallium is used as a reference point in the International Temperature Scale of 1990. |
| Of all the metals, gallium has one of the largest ranges in which it is a liquid. |
| Gallium does not react with air or water because of its oxide layer. |
| Gallium is present on Earth at around 16.9 parts per million. |
| Today, the main role of gallium in industry is in building semiconductors. |
| Semiconductors account for about 98% of the gallium use in the US alone. |
| Gallium does not seem to play a role in plant or animal biology. |
| Gallium salts are used in the pharmaceutical and radiopharmaceutical industries. |
| Gallium ions appear to have antibiotic properties, causing bacteria to die. |
| Researchers are currently studying the oral intake of gallium for the treatment of several cancers. |
|
Related Links: Facts Periodic Table Facts Animals Facts |