37Rb85.468
Rubidium
Alkali metalsSoft, very reactive metals with one outer electron. They react with water to make alkaline solutions.
[Kr] 5s¹
- Atomic number
- 37
- Atomic mass
- 85.468
- Protons
- 37
- Neutrons
- 48 (most common)
- Electrons
- 37
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 8, 1
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 1, period 5
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byRobert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff, 1861Robert Bunsen: 2 elementsGustav Kirchhoff: 2 elements
They found it using a spectroscope and named it from the Latin rubidus, deep red, after its red spectral lines.
Did you know?
- It melts at about 39 °C.
- It catches fire on its own in air.
Where it's found
- Lepidolite and other minerals
What it's used for
- Atomic clocks
- Research lasers
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Rubidium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.