Ruthenium

Elliot Briggs Period 4 All About the Elements


 * Basic Information of Element**

Element Name: **Ruthenium** Symbol: Ru Group: 8 Period: 5 Atomic Number: 44 Atomic Mass: 101.07 Number of Protons: 44 Number of Electrons: 44 Number of Neutrons: 57 Neutrons of Most Common Isotope: 58 Electron configuration: [Kr] 4d7 5s1, (1s2 2s2p6 3s2p6d10 4s2p6d7 5s1).


 * Physical Properties: Ruthenium** is a rare hard brittle silvery metal, which is unaffected by air water and acids, but is dissolved by molten alkalis.
 * Melting point: 2,300 to 2,450°C (4,200 to 4,400°F)
 * Boiling point: 3,900 to 4,150°C (7,100 to 7,500°F)
 * Density: 12.41 grams per cubic centimeter


 * Chemical Properties:** **Ruthenium** combines with oxygen at high temperatures but not at room temperature. It does not dissolve in most acids or in aqua regia (Mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids).
 * Electrochemical Equivalent: 1.257g/amp-hr
 * Electron Work Function: 4.71eV
 * Electronegative 2.2 (Pauling); 1.42
 * Heat of Fusion: 24kJ/mol


 * History:** A Polish chemist named Jedrzej Sniadecki had produced ruthenium in 1807 but he withdrew his claim of discovery after other scientists failed to replicate his results. Later on in 1844, Ruthenium was officially discovered by Karl Karlovich Klaus, a Russian chemist.
 * Date of Discovery: 1844
 * Discoverer: Karl Karlovich Klaus
 * Name Origin: From the Latin word //Ruthenia// (Russia)
 * Uses: Platinum Alloys
 * Obtained From: Pentlandite, Pyroxinite

One important use of ruthenium is in the manufacture of alloys. An alloy is made by melting and mixing two or more metals. Ruthenium is most often combined with platinum or palladium in alloys.
 * Element Uses:** Ruthenium can be used to harden metals which will then be used in jewelry.


 * Element Medical Uses:** Ruthenium is used in eye surgery.


 * Isotopes : **
 * ** Isotope ** || ** Half Life ** ||
 * Ru-96 || Stable ||
 * Ru-97 || 2.89 days ||
 * Ru-98 || Stable ||
 * Ru-99 || Stable ||
 * Ru-100 || Stable ||
 * Ru-101 || Stable ||
 * Ru-102 || Stable ||
 * Ru-103 || 39.27 days ||
 * Ru-104 || Stable ||
 * Ru-105 || 4.44 hours ||
 * Ru-106 || 1.02 years ||
 * Most Common Radioactive Isotope:** At least nine radioactive isotopes of Ruthenium are known. One common radioactive isotope of Ruthenium is Ruthenium-106. It is used for medical purposes. When Ruthenium-106 breaks down, it gives off a form of radiation called beta rays. These beta rays act somewhat like X rays. They attack and kill cancer cells. Ruthenium-106 has been used to treat certain forms of eye cancer.

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