FREE ESSAY ON PLATINUM

PLATINUM

Antonio de Ulloa discovered platinum in South America in 1735 and by Wood in 1741.
Platinum is a silver-white metal that holds even more value then gold. Its atomic number
is 78 and its mass is 195.08. It is also one of the heaviest metals. It is a transition
metal and its electron configuration is [Xe ]6s14f145d9. 
This element has very unique properties, which make it valuable. First of all, it is very
easily shaped. It can be shaped and working into almost every possible way, from thin
wire too large sheets. Platinum is a solid who's melting point is 2045k and its boiling
point is 4100k. 
The metal was used by pre-Columbian Indians. Platinum occurs native, accompanied by small
quantities of iridium, osmium, palladium, ruthenium, and rhodium. These all belong to the
same group of metals. The metal does not oxidize in air at any temperature. However,
halogens, cyanides, sulfur, and caustic alkalis corrode it. Platinum resistance wires are
used for constructing high-temperature elective furnaces. The metal is used for coating
missile nose cones, jet engine fuel nossles, jewellry, thermocouple elements, electrical
contacts, corrosion-resistant apparatus, in dentistry, sealed electrodes in glass
systems, and so on. Platinum is an excellent catalyst, such as in catalytic converters
for cars. 
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