rubidium
Definition
Rubidium is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is the lightest of all the alkali metals. Rubidium is found in very small amounts in nature, but it can be extracted from minerals such as lepidolite and pollucite.
Rubidium is a highly reactive metal that quickly reacts with oxygen and water. It is also a very good conductor of heat and electricity.
Rubidium has a number of isotopes, but the most stable is rubidium-87. Rubidium-87 is used in atomic clocks, which are the most accurate timekeeping devices in the world.
Rubidium is also used in spectroscopy, which is a technique used to study the emission and absorption of light by matter. Rubidium is particularly useful for studying the hydrogen atom, as it has a similar electronic structure.
Rubidium is also used in medical imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans. PET scans use radioactive isotopes of rubidium to create images of the body.
Rubidium is a relatively rare element, but it is an important one with a variety of applications.
How can the word be used?
Rubidium is a highly reactive metal and must be stored in an inert atmosphere.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
a soft, silvery-white metal of the alkali metal group, with atomic number 37 and chemical symbol Rb.
Etymology
The word "rubidium" comes from the Latin word "rubidus", which means "deep red".
The first recorded use of the word "rubidium" was in 1861, by German chemists Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff. They discovered rubidium by studying the spectrum of light emitted by certain minerals.
The word "rubidium" is a New Latin word, which means that it was created by scientists. It is derived from the Latin word "rubidus", which means "deep red". This is because the emission spectrum of rubidium contains two bright red lines.
Question
What does rubidium look like?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the significance of rubidium in the field of atomic physics, including its properties and applications.
Answer:
Rubidium, a chemical element with atomic number 37, holds considerable importance in atomic physics. It belongs to the alkali metal group and shares properties with other members of this group, like sodium and potassium. Rubidium is highly reactive and has a low ionization energy, making it suitable for various scientific applications.
In atomic physics, rubidium is commonly employed in studies involving atomic and molecular interactions. Its electron configuration makes it sensitive to electromagnetic fields, allowing researchers to manipulate its energy levels using lasers. This property is utilised in creating atomic clocks, which are highly accurate timekeeping devices based on the oscillations of rubidium atoms.
Moreover, rubidium vapour is used in the development of atomic magnetometers, devices that measure magnetic fields with exceptional precision. These magnetometers find applications in fields like geophysics, medical imaging, and navigation systems.
Rubidium's properties make it a valuable tool for exploring fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and atomic behaviour. Its applications in atomic physics contribute to advancements in various scientific and technological domains, enhancing our understanding of the microscopic world and improving the accuracy of measurement instruments.