Caesium hydroxides is a strong base which can attack glass. Caesium burns readily to form superoxide. It is difficult to handle Caesium because it reacts spontaneously and react with air. Salts are hygroscopic in nature (attracting and holding water from surrounding). Double salts are less soluble but others like phosphate, acetate, carbonate are water soluble. Its salts are usually colorless unless anion itself is colored. In compounds it is present as Cs+ and binds ionically with anions. Caesium can be handled only under an inert gas, such as argon. Caesium resembles rubidium in its chemical characteristics. It reacts with water vigorously and explosively, even at low temperatures. Chemical CharacteristicsĬaesium is very reactive and pyrophoric (ignites spontaneously in air). Caesium atomic number is 55 and its atomic mass is 132.90 g/mol. Its golden color is due to decreasing frequency of light that is why it partially absorbs violet light while other colors are reflected hence it appears yellowish or golden in color. It has the melting point of 28.5 oC and also has a low boiling point 641 oC. In the presence of mineral oil it loses its metallic luster. Its physical properties are similar with rubidium and potassium. In periodic table it belongs to alkaline elements. Caesium is one of four elements who exist in liquid form at or near room temperature. Physical CharacteristicsĬaesium is a silvery-gold metallic element. The abundance of Caesium on the earth crust is about 3 part per million and it is the 50 th most common element in the earth crust. It is mostly present with rubidium in nature and other alkali metals. Cesium Periodic Table ClassificationĬaesium occurs in minute quantity in earth crust in the form of minerals like pollucite (zeolite mineral Caesium ore). They also derived its name from Latin caesius ‘’sky-blue’’ due to the formation of unique blue lines in the emission spectrum. History and DiscoveryĬaesium is considered the first element who was discovered spectroscopically in 1860 by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff. It forms alloys with alkali metals, gold and mercury. It is outstanding in keeping time with precision, so it is used in atomic clocks. Caesium, also spelt as Cesium, was discovered in 1860.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |