Gallium (Ga): Atomic number: 31, Atomic mass: 69.72 g.mol -1, Electronegativity: unknown, Density: 5.1 g.cm-3 at 20°C, Melting point: 29.8 °C, Boiling point: 2204 °C, Vanderwaals radius: 0.161 nm, Ionic radius: 0.083 nm (+3), Isotopes: 6, Electronic shell: [ Ar ] 3d10 4s24p1, Energy of first ionisation: 578.6 kJ.mol -1, Energy of second ionisation: 1978.8 kJ.mol -1, Energy of third ionisation: 2389 kJ.mol -1, Energy of fourth ionisation: 2962.3 kJ.mol -1, Standard potential: - 0.52 V. Solid gallium is a blue-gray metal with orthorhombic crystalline structure; very pure gallium has a stunning silvery color. Gallium is solid at normal room temperatures, but as well as mercury, cesium, and rubidium it becomes liquid when heated slightly. Solid gallium is soft enough to be cut with a knife. It is stable in air and water; but it reacts with and dissolves in acids and alkalis. Applications: Liquid gallium wets porcelain and glass surfaces; it forms a bright, highly reflective surface when coated on glass. It can be used to create brilliant mirrors. Gallium easily alloys with most metals, so it is used to form low-melting alloys. The plutonium pits of nuclear weapons employ an alloy with gallium to stabilize the allotropes of plutonium. Analog integrated circuits are the most common application for gallium, with optoelectronic devices (mostly laser diodes and light-emitting diodes) as the second largest end use. Gallium has semiconductor properties, especially as gallium arsendite (GaAs). This can convert electricity to light and is used in light emitting diodes (LEDs) for electronic display and watches. Gallium is used in some high temperature thermometers. Gallium in the environment: Gallium does not exist in pure form in nature, and gallium compounds are not a primary source of extraction. Gallium is more abundant than lead but much less accessible bacause it has not been selectively concentrated into minerals by any geological process, so it tends to be widely dispersed. Several ores, such as the aluminum ore bauxite, contain small amount of gallium, and coal may have a relatively high gallium content.

 

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Gallium (Ga): Atomic number: 31, Atomic mass: 69.72 g.mol -1, Electronegativity: unknown, Density: 5.1 g.cm-3 at 20°C, Melting point: 29.8 °C, Boiling point: 2204 °C, Vanderwaals radius: 0.161 nm, Ionic r . . . View Full Definition