Scientific Description
Platinum, or Pt, is element number 78 on the periodic table. It is located in column 10 and row 6. There are 78 protons in its nucleus and 117 neutrons. Its electronegativity is 2.2. Platinum is a transition metal that is so unreactive that it is called a "noble" metal. It does not, however, have a stable valence shell. It has one valence electron and two possible ions, Pt2+ and Pt4+.
Platinum is a shiny metal that resembles silver. It is ductile, malleable, non-toxic, does not rust, and is able to conduct electricity and heat. It is a very dense element and can soak up hydrogen gas like a sponge at high temperatures. It is insoluble in water and acids, but can be corroded by hot alkalis. Hydrochloric acid and nitric acid do not affect platinum by themselves, but when combined they make a solution called aqua regia, which can dissolve platinum, along with gold, osmium, and palladium. Platinum can be found chemically uncombined in nature, but when it is combined, aqua regia can be used to isolate it.
Platinum is part of a special group of metals called the Platinum Metals. They are found in two triads on the periodic table. They are elements 44, 45, 46, 76, 77, and 78. The elements are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. They all resemble platinum and can be found combined with each other. They share many properties including hardness, melting point, malleability, ductility, and unreactivity. All but palladium are more expensive than gold.
Platinum's shortened electron configuration is [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9. It has 40 isotopes, but only 5 are stable. Pt-190 is the only radioactive isotope and has no technological applications.
Platinum is a shiny metal that resembles silver. It is ductile, malleable, non-toxic, does not rust, and is able to conduct electricity and heat. It is a very dense element and can soak up hydrogen gas like a sponge at high temperatures. It is insoluble in water and acids, but can be corroded by hot alkalis. Hydrochloric acid and nitric acid do not affect platinum by themselves, but when combined they make a solution called aqua regia, which can dissolve platinum, along with gold, osmium, and palladium. Platinum can be found chemically uncombined in nature, but when it is combined, aqua regia can be used to isolate it.
Platinum is part of a special group of metals called the Platinum Metals. They are found in two triads on the periodic table. They are elements 44, 45, 46, 76, 77, and 78. The elements are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. They all resemble platinum and can be found combined with each other. They share many properties including hardness, melting point, malleability, ductility, and unreactivity. All but palladium are more expensive than gold.
Platinum's shortened electron configuration is [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9. It has 40 isotopes, but only 5 are stable. Pt-190 is the only radioactive isotope and has no technological applications.