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gallium

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Secondary Information

Definition

Gallium is a chemical element with the symbol Ga and atomic number 31. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that melts at 29.76 °C, the lowest melting point of any metal in its group. Gallium is a member of the boron group, and it is chemically similar to aluminium.

Gallium is a very versatile element. It is used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Semiconductors: Gallium is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, which are used in computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a very important semiconductor material. It is used in high-speed transistors, lasers, and solar cells.
  • Metal alloys: Gallium is often added to other metals to create alloys with special properties. For example, gallium-based alloys are used in high-temperature applications, such as jet engines. Gallium-indium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) is a transparent conductive material that is used in touch screens and other electronic displays.
  • Thermal management: Gallium has a high specific heat capacity, which means that it can absorb a lot of heat without changing temperature. This makes gallium useful for thermal management applications, such as heat sinks. Gallium has a low melting point, so it can be used to cool electronic devices without damaging them.
  • Medical applications: Gallium is used in some medical applications, such as cancer treatment and imaging. Gallium-67 is a radioactive isotope of gallium that is used to diagnose cancer. It is also used to treat some types of cancer, such as lymphoma.

Gallium is a relatively safe element. However, it can be toxic in large amounts. It can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

How can the word be used?

The gallium-arsenide laser is used in telecommunications.

gallium

Different forms of the word

Noun: gallium, galliums.

Adjective: gallium.

Verb: gallium, galliated, galliating.

Etymology

The word "gallium" is named after France, where it was first discovered in 1875 by Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. The name "gallium" comes from the Latin word Gallia, which means "Gaul".

Question

What is gallium used for?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: What are the properties of gallium that make it useful in electronics?

Answer:

Gallium is a rare-earth metal that has a number of properties that make it useful in electronics. These properties include:

  • Low melting point: Gallium has a melting point of 29.76°C, which is the lowest melting point of any metal. This makes it easy to melt and cast gallium, which is useful for making electronic components.
  • High conductivity: Gallium is a good conductor of electricity. This makes it useful for making wires and other electronic components that need to conduct electricity.
  • Chemical reactivity: Gallium is chemically reactive. This means that it can react with other elements to form new compounds. This can be useful for making gallium-based compounds that have specific properties that are useful in electronics.

Gallium is used in a variety of electronic components, including:

  • Semiconductors: Gallium is used to make semiconductors, which are materials that have properties of both conductors and insulators. Semiconductors are used in a variety of electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, and televisions.
  • Lasers: Gallium is used to make lasers, which are devices that emit light. Lasers are used in a variety of applications, including surgery, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
  • Magnetic materials: Gallium is used to make magnetic materials, which are materials that can be magnetised. Magnetic materials are used in a variety of applications, including hard drives, credit cards, and compasses.

Gallium is a versatile material with a variety of properties that make it useful in electronics. It is a valuable material for the development of new electronic devices.