Rh
Rhodium is one of the rarest and most expensive precious metals, prized for its reflectivity.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 102.91 u |
| Density | 12.41 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 2237.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 3968.0 K |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 2.28 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 719.7 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 109.7 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Kr] 4d8 5s1 |
| Atomic Radius | 134.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 142.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 195.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | William Hyde Wollaston |
| Discovery Year | 1803 |
| Location | London, England |
| Named After | Greek 'rhodon' meaning rose, from the color of its salts |
About Rhodium
Rhodium is ultra-rare, silvery-white, hard, and corrosion-resistant. It has the highest reflectance of any metal and is one of the most expensive metals in the world.
Uses & Applications
Catalytic converters, jewelry plating, laboratory crucibles, and optical instruments.
Fun Fact
About 80% of the world's rhodium is used in catalytic converters, and it is often more expensive than gold or platinum.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 103 | 1.0% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d8 5s1