2006-08-24 14:26:02 · 4 answers · asked by zingowner 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
There are two possible answers for this one. The densest metal is either Iridium or osmium.
Iridium's atomic number is 77, and the periodic table symbol is Ir. It was discovered in 1803 by Smithson Tennant in London, England, and has a density of 22.65 grams per cubic centimeter. It was named after the Latin word "iris", meaning rainbow, because many of its salts are strongly colored. Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant element. It's most commonly occuring isotope is Re-187, which is unstable but with a half-life of 43.5 billion years. Re-185, the stable isotope occurs about 34% of the time.
Osmium's atmoic number is 76, and the periodic symbol is Os. It was discovered by Smithson Tennant at the same time he discovered iridium. Both were disovered by dissolving platnium in aqua regia ("royal water", a solution of 1 part concentrated nitric acid and 3 parts concentrated hydrochloric acid). Osmium has a recorded density of 22.61 grams per cubic centimeter, and has the highest melting point of any element (5491 degrees F). Osmium has seven isotopes, five of which are stable. The most abundant of which is Os-192. The other two isotopes are unstable, but have enormous half-lives (45.6 billion years).
The reason I give two answers is because there is some debate over which isotope to use as the standard. If you use the most abundant, Os-192 is more dense than Re-187. But if using the naturally occuring combination of isotopes, then rhebium is considered the most dense.
As far as cost goes, Osmium generally costs about US $100 per gram. However, one of the stable isotopes, Os-187, costs about US $25,000 per gram. Iridium generally costs the same as gold, which is currently about US $500 per ounce, or US $15,550 per gram
2006-08-24 14:47:20 · answer #1 · answered by Jonathen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Osmium is the densest metal in the world; about 26 grams per cc. It's non-radioactive and costs a few hundred bucks an ounce.
2006-08-24 22:13:12 · answer #2 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Densest known metal is irridium, it has stable (non radio-active) isotopes, and because it is very rare, it costs about as much as gold (although that is subject to market fluctuations and speculations)
2006-08-24 21:35:37 · answer #3 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg y do u wanna knoe?
U r odd ! U tryong to make a bomb or sumting?
2006-08-24 21:35:06 · answer #4 · answered by No 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋