Palladium

Matthew Doan =__**Palladium**__= Palladium is element number 46. Its atomic mass is 106.42. It has 46 Protons, and has 60 Electrons. Palladium's symbol is Pd. It is also a Transition metal, which is located in group 10, period 5. Palladium's two most common isotopes is: 106 Pd 46 105 Pd 46 The electron configuration of Palladium is [Kr]4d10. Palladium's physical properties is a soft silver-white metal that does not get destroyed in air. It decays by concentrated, hot nitric acid and boiling sulfuric acid. Palladium's chemical properties is its melting point is 1552.0 degrees Celsius, and its boiling point is 2927.0 degrees Celsius. Palladium was discovered in 1803, by William Hyde Wollaston. He then named it after the asteroid, Pallas. However it is unknown why it is has received that name. The most common form of the element is found in other elements. Palladium is found in platinum, copper, mercury, and nickel ores. In the past, Palladium was once used as a precious metal, today Palladium is now used as a catalyst for making white-gold. But the largest use of Palladium is in catalytic converters for automobiles. It is cheaper than platinum, but is more expensive than gold, so sometimes it is more desirable than gold. The most common radioactive isotope of Palladium is: 106 Pd 46 It goes through beta decay to become Rhodium, which is: 106 Rh 45 And the end product is silver.

Bibliography: http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/Pd.html http://www.chemicool.com/elements/palladium.html http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/pd.html Images: http://www.diamondvues.com/Palladium_1.jpg http://rlv.zcache.com/palladium_pd_element_t_shirt-p23561957158672865935k2_400.jpg