 Discovery Information |
| Who:
Robert Bunsen
,
Gustav Kirchoff
|
| When: 1861 |
| Where: Germany |
|
| Name Origin |
| Latin: rubidus (red); the color its salts impart to flames. |
|
| Sources |
| Occurs abundantly, but so widespread that production is limited. Usually obtained from lithium production. Occurs in the minerals leucite, pollucite and zinnwaldite. |
|
| Uses |
| Used in fireworks (to give them a purple colour), atomic clocks, photoelectric cells, vacuum tubes, heart research and as a catalyst. |
|
| Notes |
| Rubidium reacts violently with water and can cause fires. |
