Interesting facts
Interesting Facts About Osmium
Osmium is a fascinating element, known for being one of the densest naturally occurring elements. Here are some intriguing aspects of this remarkable metal:
- Discoverer: Osmium was discovered in 1803 by the British chemist Smithson Tennant. Its name is derived from the Greek word osme, meaning "smell," due to the foul odor of its tetroxide.
- Density and Weight: As one of the heaviest elements, osmium is about twice as dense as lead. This unique property makes it an essential material in various applications where weight and durability are paramount.
- Industrial Uses: Osmium is primarily used in alloys to produce extremely durable materials, especially in applications like pen tips, electrical contacts, and fountain pen nibs. Its hardness and resistance to wear are invaluable.
- Rarity: Osmium is a rare element in the Earth's crust, making up only about 0.000001% of it. This rarity contributes to its high value in the market.
- Biological Impacts: The osmium tetroxide form is highly toxic and has been used as a staining agent in biological research. It can also be found in certain environmental compounds, highlighting its potential hazards.
Osmium also has a unique place in the periodic table, being part of the platinum group metals. Its incredible properties combined with its rarity continue to make it a topic of interest for research and industrial applications. As Smithson Tennant once noted, "The value of a material is often reflected in its rarity!"
This element exemplifies how nature's unique materials can contribute significantly to both scientific advancement and industrial innovation.
Synonyms
OSMIUM
7440-04-2
Osmium, elemental
osmium atom
OS
HSDB 7329
OSMIUM METALLICUM
EINECS 231-114-0
OSMIUM [MI]
UNII-2E7M255OPY
DTXSID5064679
OSMIUM METALLICUM [HPUS]
OSMIUM, ELEMENTAL [HSDB]
DTXCID7047643
231-114-0
OSMIUM ION
osmium(3+)
Osmium powder, -200 mesh
Osmium Nanorods
2E7M255OPY
Osmium Standard: Os @ 10 microg/mL in 5% HCl
Osmium Standard: Os @ 1000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Metallic osmium
MFCD00011147
osmio
hydrido osmium
osmium hydride
Osmium powder
osmium trihydride
Osmium, Powder
osmium(3+) ion
osmium(III) cation
76Os
Osmium powder, -20 mesh
Osmium, sponge, 99.8%
Osmium, Powder, 99.9%
CHEBI:30687
CHEBI:49812
Os(3+)
Q751
Osmium, powder, 99.9% trace metals basis
NS00082231
Osmium-Os @ 1000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Osmium - Os @ 1000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Q27104722
Osmium standard for AAS, ready-to-use, in hydrochloric acid
Solubility of Osmium
Osmium, represented by the chemical symbol Os, is a transition metal known for its remarkable density and rarity. When it comes to solubility, osmium exhibits some intriguing characteristics:
In conclusion, while bulk osmium has low solubility in many environments, its compounds, particularly osmium tetroxide, display considerable solubility, making them valuable in chemical applications. As with many metals, understanding the solubility behavior of osmium can provide insights into its reactivity and potential uses in different chemical contexts.