Rubidium

Rubidium (pronounced /rʊˈbɪdiəm/, roo-BID-ee-əm) is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. Rb is a soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali metal group. Rubidium is very soft and highly reactive, with properties similar to other elements in group 1, such as very rapid oxidation in air. Its compounds have chemical and electronic applications. Rubidium metal is easily vaporized and has a convenient spectral absorption... more

Rubidium (pronounced /rʊˈbɪdiəm/, roo-BID-ee-əm) is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. Rb is a soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali metal group. Rubidium is very soft and highly reactive, with properties similar to other elements in group 1, such as very rapid oxidation in air. Its compounds have chemical and electronic applications. Rubidium metal is easily vaporized and has a convenient spectral absorption range, making it a frequent target for laser manipulation of atoms. Rubidium is not known to be necessary for any living organisms. However, like caesium, rubidium ions are handled by living organisms in a manner similar to potassium: it is actively taken up by plants and by living animal cells. Rubidium has one stable isotope,Rb. The isotope Rb which composes almost 28% of naturally occurring rubidium is slightly radioactive, with a half-life of 49 billion years—more than three times longer than the estimated age of the universe. Rubidium is... less