Osmium
OZ-mi-em
Osmium (Os) is a hard fine black powder or blue-white metal that has the atomic number 76 in the periodic table. It is a Transition metal in Group 8. It has the symbol Os.
Osmium is a very heavy metal due to its large atomic mass. It is known to produce an unpleasant smell and is highly toxic when in compounds. Its name is drawn from the Greek word Osme meaning smell. Whilst Osmium does not have many uses its oxide, Osmium Tetroxide is used to stain fatty acid tissues for microscopes and in fingerprint detection. It is also used in electrical equipment as an alloy. It is not a natural element in the earth’s crust instead existing in ores Iridomine usually found in the Americas of Ural mountains. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 3327°c and a boiling point of 5300°c.
FAQ's
Smithson Tenant
1803
Uses
Used to tip gold pen points, instrument pivots, to make electric light filaments. Used for high temp. alloys and pressure bearings. Very hard and resists corrosion better than any other.
Sources
Obtained from the same ores as platinum.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Os
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