Gallium

[Racoon]

Some elements are fascinating! and I think Gallium is one of those.

So, heres another thread on a neat element. :cup:

 

Gallium - a grey metallic element. symbol Ga.

Atomic number -- 31

Relative atomic mass -- 69.75

 

Gallium is amazing because of three unusual physical physical properties. First, its melting point (29.78[degrees]C) is only slightly above room temperature so that in hot countries it becomes a liquid metal like mercury.

 

Second, because of its high boiling point (2403[degrees]C) linked to its low melting point it has the widest liquid range of any element. This has led to its use as a high temperature liquid in glass thermometers, but other methods of high temperature measurement are more common.

 

Third, it shares with water the unusual property of being denser as a liquid than as a solid, hence it will solidify from the top down.

:)

 

also Like aluminium it dissolves in both acids and alkalis, evolving hydrogen. Very few metals do this, and they all have amphoteric hydroxides -- that is hydroxides which dissolve in both acids and alkalis because they can behave as basic and acidic (hydr)oxides

 

Gallium arsenide crystals are used in microelectronics, since electrons can travel 1,000 times faster through them than silicon.

Its position near the metal/non-metal boundary is evidenced by it being a semi-conductor like germanium. A minute proportion (1 part in 1000 000 000) is added to ultra pure silicon as a dopant for p-type semiconductors.

 

Anyone else think Gallium is cool? or have anymore info?

[UncleAl]

Diamond lattice structures often have solids that float on their molten liquids. Look up the densities of crystalline and molten silicon. The trehalides overall have low melting points and high boiling points. Check it out for aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium (303 C and 1457 C).

 

Bismuth has a lot of +3 chemistry. Does it expand on solidification, have a wide liquid range, behave in an amphoteric manner, etc?