Gallium
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Description
A rare metallic element that occurs naturally in small amounts in the Copper sulfide ore germanite, the aluminum oxide ore Bauxite, and in some Zinc ores. Discovered in 1875, gallium is a grayish metal that is a liquid at temperatures slightly above ambient. It is used in solar batteries and as a semiconductor in Laser diodes. Radioactive gallium is used in medical imaging particularly for bone cancer.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Ga; gallio (It.); Gálio (Port.); galio (Esp.)
Other Properties
Soluble in aqua regia and some alkali. Slightly soluble in mercury.
| Composition | Ga (atomic no. 31) |
|---|---|
| CAS | 7440-55-3 |
| Melting Point | 29.78 |
| Density | 5.907 |
| Molecular Weight | atomic wt=69.72 |
| Boiling Point | 2403 |
Hazards and Safety
Combustible at 500C. Sensitive to moisture. Inhalation causes irritation.
Fisher Scientific: MSDS
Additional Information
Web Elements: Website
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Gallium." Encyclopædia Britannica. 9 Sept. 2004 .
- Chemical & Engineering News, American Chemical Society, Washington DC, 81 (36) , Sept. 8, 2003 Comment: Oliver Sacks, "Gallium" p. 88
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998