| Origin of Name |
From the German word weiße masse, meaning white mass |
| Date and Place of Discovery |
In France in 1753 |
| Discovered by |
Claude
François Geoffroy |
| Common Compounds |
|
| Interesting facts |
- It was known to the ancients.
- It is a hard, brittle, steel-grey metal with a pink tint.
- It is stable in oxygen and water and dissolves in concentrated nitric acid.
- It is the most naturally
diamagnetic of all the elements.
- Only
mercury has lower thermal conductivity.
- Its toxicity is lower than most elements.
- It is twice as abundant as gold in the earth's crust.
|
| Common Uses |
- Cosmetics
- Medicinal products, such as
- Internal deodorant
- Permanent magnets
- Fire detection
- Catalyst for making acrylic fibers
- Solders
- Ceramic glazes
- Thermoelectric materials
- Leukemia treament
- Oil paint
- Pipes
- Lubricating greases
- Fishing sinkers
- Pyrotechnics
- Ammunition
- Riot gun projectiles
|
