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Atomic Number: 37
Atomic Weight: 85.4678
Element Type: Alkali Metal
Crystal Structure: Cubic Body Centered
Melting Point: 39.31°C = 102.758°F = 312.46
K
Boiling Point: 688.0°C = 1270.4°F = 961.15
K
Critical Temp: °C = °F = K
Atomic Radius: 2.98 Å (Å = Angstrom =
10-10 m)
Covalent Radius: 2.16 Å
Electronegativity: 0.82
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Discovery
(L. rubidus, deepest red) Discovered in 1861 by Bunsen
and Kirchoff in the minerallepidolite by use of the spectroscope.
Sources
The element is much more abundant than was thought several
years ago. It is nowconsidered to be the 16th most abundant
element in the earth's crust. Rubidium occurs inpollucite,
leucite, and zinnwaldite, which contains traces up to 1%,
in the form of theoxide. It is found in lepidolite to the
extent of about 1.5%, and is recoveredcommercially from
this source. Potassium minerals, such as those found at
Searles Lake,California, and potassium chloride recovered
from the brines in Michigan also contain theelement and
are commercial sources. It is also found along with cesium
in the extensivedeposits of pollucite at Bernic Lake, Manitoba.
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