Physics at every step Perelman Yakov Isidorovich

What is the heaviest metal?

What is the heaviest metal?

In everyday life, lead is considered a heavy metal. It is heavier than zinc, tin, iron, copper, but still it cannot be called the heaviest metal. Mercury, liquid metal, heavier than lead; if you throw a piece of lead into mercury, it will not sink in it, but will float on the surface. You can hardly lift a liter bottle of mercury with one hand: it weighs almost 14 kg. However, mercury is not the heaviest metal: gold and platinum are one and a half times heavier than mercury.

The heaviness record is broken by rare metals - iridium and osmium: they are almost three times heavier than iron and more than a hundred times heavier than cork; it would take 110 ordinary plugs to balance one iridium or osmium plug of the same size.

Provided for reference specific gravity some metals:

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Humanity began to actively use metals as early as 3000-4000 BC. Then people got acquainted with the most common of them, these are gold, silver, copper. These metals were very easy to find on the surface of the earth. A little later, they learned chemistry and began to isolate from them such species as tin, lead and iron. In the Middle Ages, very toxic types of metals gained popularity. Arsenic was in common use, with which more than half of the royal court in France was poisoned. It is the same, which helped to cure various diseases of those times, ranging from tonsillitis to the plague. Already before the twentieth century, more than 60 metals were known, and at the beginning of the XXI century - 90. Progress does not stand still and leads humanity forward. But the question arises, which metal is heavy and surpasses all others in weight? And in general, what are these heaviest metals in the world?

Many mistakenly think that gold and lead are the heaviest metals. Why exactly did it happen? Many of us grew up with old movies and have seen how main character uses a lead plate to protect against vicious bullets. In addition, lead plates are still used today in some types of body armor. And at the word gold, many people have a picture with heavy ingots of this metal. But to think that they are the heaviest is wrong!

To determine the heaviest metal, its density must be taken into account, because the greater the density of a substance, the heavier it is.

TOP 10 heaviest metals in the world

1. Osmium (22.62 g / cm 3),
2. Iridium (22.53 g / cm 3),
3. Platinum (21.44 g / cm 3),
4. Rhenium (21.01 g / cm 3),
5. Neptunium (20.48 g / cm 3),
6. Plutonium (19.85 g / cm 3),
7. Gold (19.85 g/cm3)
8. Tungsten (19.21 g / cm 3),
9. Uranium (18.92 g / cm 3),
10. Tantalum (16.64 g/cm3).

And where is the lead? And it is located much lower in this list, in the middle of the second ten.

Osmium and iridium are the heaviest metals in the world

Consider the main heavyweights who share 1st and 2nd places. Let's start with iridium and at the same time say thanks to the English scientist Smithson Tennat, who in 1803 obtained this chemical element from platinum, where it was present along with osmium as an impurity. Iridium from ancient Greek can be translated as "rainbow". The metal has a white color with a silver tint and can be called not only heavy, but also the most durable. There is very little of it on our planet and only up to 10,000 kg of it is mined per year. It is known that most deposits of iridium can be found at the sites of meteorite impacts. Some scientists come to the conclusion that this metal was previously widespread on our planet, however, due to its weight, it constantly squeezed itself closer to the center of the Earth. Iridium is now widely in demand in industry and is used to obtain electrical energy. Paleontologists also like to use it, and with the help of iridium they determine the age of many finds. In addition, this metal can be used to coat some surfaces. But it's difficult to do so.

Next, consider osmium. It is the heaviest in the periodic table of Mendeleev, well, respectively, and the heaviest metal in the world. Osmium is tin-white with a blue tint and was also discovered by Smithson Tennat at the same time as iridium. Osmium is almost impossible to process and is mainly found at the sites of meteorite impacts. It smells unpleasant, the smell is similar to a mixture of chlorine and garlic. And from ancient Greek it is translated as "smell". The metal is quite refractory and is used in light bulbs and other appliances with refractory metals. For just one gram of this element, you have to pay more than 10,000 dollars, from this it is clear that the metal is very rare.

28.11.2018 at 01:43 · oksioksi · 8 870

10 heaviest metals in the world by density

Most of the heaviest metals are rare and extremely valuable. Many achievements modern technology and medicine would simply be impossible if they did not exist.

Most of these metals do not find wide domestic use(at best, platinum and gold come to mind here). Therefore, only specialists can appreciate the significance of many of them for civilization. At the same time, the history of the discovery of some is interesting in itself.

10. Tantalum - 16.67 g / cm³

Extremely refractory (melting point 3017 °C), tantalum successfully replaces platinum in many cases.

It is used in jewelry - watch cases, bracelets and other jewelry are made from it. This is facilitated by the high hardness of the metal. In addition, it is cheaper than platinum, although more expensive than silver.

Its compounds replace platinum and as catalysts in the chemical industry. In glassmaking, the addition of this metal to the melt makes it possible to obtain glasses used for the production of small binoculars and light glasses. And tantalum is absolutely indispensable in the production of radio electronics.

9. Uranium - 19.05 g / cm³

From the name of this element came the designation of the planet solar system and not vice versa, as many people think.

It is a very heavy, flexible and malleable metal. Capable of spontaneous combustion. It is abundant both in the earth's crust and in sea water.

Thanks to uranium, invisible rays were accidentally discovered at the end of the 90th century (today the phenomenon of the emission of invisible rays by some natural substances is called radioactivity).

Natural uranium oxides have been used since ancient times in the manufacture of glazes for ceramic products. Today, compounds of this metal are also used to create yellow paint.

8. Tungsten - 19.29 g / cm³

The absolute champion in refractoriness. Boils at a temperature of 5555 ° C (the same - in the photosphere of the Sun).

The word wolfram means "devouring tin like a wolf eating a sheep." This name did not appear by chance. Tungsten, being among the tin ores, interfered with the smelting of tin.

Used to create wedding rings. Its strength symbolizes the stability of personal relationships. In addition, polished tungsten cannot be scratched by anything.

It is used in the production of incandescent filaments in various lighting fixtures.

7. Gold - 19.29 g/cm³

Under normal conditions, it does not oxidize and does not interact with most acids, therefore it is considered a noble metal.

Gold easily transmits heat and electricity, making it indispensable in radio electronics.

6. Plutonium - 19.80 g/cm³

The first artificial chemical element, whose production began on an industrial scale almost immediately after the discovery.

It is named after Pluto, which was demoted in 2006, depriving it of the status of a planet.

Interest in plutonium was initially driven by its military applications. high density and anomalously high compressibility made it possible to manufacture compact, powerful and structurally simple atomic charges.

All plutonium isotopes are radioactive. The "reactor" isotope of plutonium makes it possible to create long-lived unattended (up to a hundred years of operation) energy sources.

5. Neptunium - 20.47 g / cm³

Was obtained artificially from uranium by means of nuclear reactions. It is interesting that it is not named after the ancient Greek deity Neptune, but indirectly - due to the practical invisibility in nature in honor of the planet Neptune, which itself was named after the deity, but for a long time did not succumb to observation by astronomers.

This metal has no independent value, but in the radiochemical industry it is a “stepping stone” from uranium to the production of the next important radio material - plutonium.

4. Rhenium - 21.01 g / cm³

Named after the river Rhine, after the place of discovery.

Very rare, the only economically profitable deposit of rhenium is located in Russia.

Refractoriness, chemical neutrality and good ductility allow this metal to be used to create medical instruments.

Heat-resistant alloys of rhenium with other metals are used for the production jet engines. Thus, rhenium is of great military and strategic importance.

3. Platinum - 21.40 g/cm³

The name platinum was invented by the conquistadors. Literally from Spanish, it means "silver". Such a dismissive naming is explained by the special infusibility of the metal. For many years they did not know how to use it, then platinum cost half as much as silver.

Today it is much more valuable than even gold. Extreme refractoriness, chemical inertness and excellent properties of the catalyst of chemical reactions make it irreplaceable in the industry. At the same time, high cost and good strength open the way for use in jewelry.

2. Osmium - 22.61 g / cm³

The name comes from the Greek for "smell", as some chemical reactions with osmium lead to the release of a compound with a very persistent bad "aroma".

In chemistry and industry it is used as a catalyst. Strength and chemical neutrality make the metal indispensable in the production of medical implants.

1. Iridium - 22.65 g/cm³

Iridium salts come in a variety of colors. The name of the metal comes from the name of Irida, the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

In the earth's crust, iridium is forty times less than gold. In meteorite matter, its content is much greater than on Earth.

Combining iridium with platinum, one can obtain an alloy that is unusually strong and chemically resistant.

Iridium is an excellent catalyst, but due to the rarity of this metal and its high price, its use is limited. However, car owners are familiar with iridium spark plugs - they use the refractoriness and catalytic properties of a thin coating of iridium.

126 are already known chemical elements. But the heaviest among them is considered to be Osmium (Os) and Iridium (Ir). Both of these elements are transition metals and belong to the platinum group. Their serial numbers in the Periodic system of I.P. Mendeleev 76 and 77, respectively. Being very hard, both metals can be compared in density with each other. This is because the density values ​​were derived purely theoretically (22.562 g/cm³ (Ir) and 22.587 g/cm³ (Os)). And with such calculations, there is always an error (± 0.009 g / cm³ for both calculations).

Discovery history

The discovery of these elements is associated with the name of the English scientist S. Tennant. In 1803 he studied the properties of platinum. And during the reaction of this metal to a mixture of acids (“aqua regia”), an insoluble precipitate was isolated, consisting of impurities. Studying this substance, S. Tennant singled out new elements, which he called "iridium" and "osmium".
The name “iridium” (“rainbow”) was given to the element because its salts had a variety of colors. And “osmium” (“smell”) was so named due to the sharp, close to ozone, smell of osmium oxide OsO4.

Properties

Both osmium and iridium are almost impossible to process. They have a very high melting point. In their compact form, they do not react with active media such as acids, alkalis or mixtures of acids. These properties are observed for osmium at temperatures up to 100°C, and for iridium up to 400°C.

Spreading

The most commonly mined form of these elements is osmium iridium. This alloy is mainly found in areas where natural platinum and gold are mined. Another place where iridium and osmium are often found are iron meteorites. Osmium without iridium is almost never found in nature. Whereas iridium is found in combination with other metals. For example, in compounds with ruthenium or rhodium. However, iridium remains one of the most rare chemical elements on our planet. Its industrial production in the world does not exceed 3 tons per year.
On this moment the regions that are the main sources of iridium and osmium mining are California, Alaska (USA), Siberia (Russia), Bushveld (South Africa), Australia, New Guinea, Canada.

Photos of the heaviest metals

Video of the heaviest metals

Since time immemorial, people have been actively using various metals. After studying their properties, the substances took their rightful place in the table of the famous D. Mendeleev. Until now, the disputes of scientists regarding the question of which metal should be given the title of the heaviest and densest in the world have not subsided. On the scales are two elements of the periodic table - iridium, as well as osmium. What are they interesting, read on.

For centuries, people have studied useful properties the most abundant metals on the planet. Science stores the most information about gold, silver and copper. Over time, mankind got acquainted with iron, lighter metals - tin and lead. In the world of the Middle Ages, people actively used arsenic, and diseases were treated with mercury.

Thanks to rapid progress, today the heaviest and densest metals are considered not one element of the table, but two at once. At number 76 is osmium (Os), and at number 77 is iridium (Ir), substances have the following indicators density:

• osmium is heavy due to its density of 22.62 g/cm³;
• iridium is not much lighter - 22.53 g / cm³.

Density refers to the physical properties of metals, it is the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume. Theoretical calculations of the density of both elements have some errors, so both metals are now considered to be the heaviest.

For clarity, you can compare the weight of an ordinary cork with the weight of a cork made of the heaviest metal in the world. To balance scales with an osmium or iridium stopper, more than a hundred ordinary stoppers will be required.

History of discovery of metals

Both elements were discovered at the dawn of the 19th century by Smithson Tennant. Many researchers of that time were studying the properties of raw platinum, processing it with "royal vodka". Only Tennant was able to detect two chemicals in the resulting sediment:

• the sedimentary element with a persistent smell of chlorine, the scientist called osmium;
• a substance with a changing color is called iridium (rainbow).

Both elements were represented by a single alloy, which the scientist managed to separate. Further study of platinum nuggets was undertaken by the Russian chemist K. Klaus, who carefully studied the properties of sedimentary elements. The difficulty of determining the heaviest metal in the world lies in the low difference in their density, which is not a constant value.

Vibrant characteristics of the densest metals

Substances obtained experimentally are a powder that is rather difficult to process; metal forging requires very high temperatures. The most common form of the commonwealth of iridium with osmium is an alloy of osmic iridium, which is mined in platinum deposits, gold beds.

Iron-rich meteorites are considered the most common place to find iridium. Native osmium is not found in the natural world, only in commonwealth with iridium and other components of the platinum group. The deposits often contain sulfur compounds with arsenic.

Features of the heaviest and most expensive metal in the world

Among the elements of Mendeleev's periodic table, osmium is considered the most expensive. The silvery metal with a bluish tint belongs to the platinum group of noble chemical compounds. The most dense, but very fragile metal does not lose its luster under the influence of high temperature indicators.

Characteristics

• Element #76 Osmium has an atomic mass of 190.23 amu;
• A substance molten at 3033°C will boil at 5012°C.
• The heaviest material has a density of 22.62 g/cm³;
• The structure of the crystal lattice has a hexagonal shape.

Despite the amazingly cold sheen of a silvery sheen, osmium is not suitable for production. jewelry due to high toxicity. To melt the jewelry, it would take a temperature like on the surface of the Sun, because the densest metal in the world is destroyed by mechanical action.

Turning into powder, osmium interacts with oxygen, reacts with sulfur, phosphorus, selenium, the reaction of the substance with aqua regia is very slow. Osmium does not possess magnetism, alloys tend to oxidize and form cluster compounds.

Where apply

The heaviest and incredibly dense metal has high wear resistance, so adding it to alloys significantly increases their strength. The use of osmium is mainly associated with chemical industry. In addition, it is used for the following needs:

• manufacture of containers intended for storage of nuclear fusion waste;
• for the needs of rocket science, weapons production (warheads);
• in the watch industry for the manufacture of mechanisms of branded models;
• for the manufacture of surgical implants, parts of pacemakers.

Interestingly, the densest metal is considered the only element in the world that is not subject to the aggression of the “hellish” mixture of acids (nitric and hydrochloric). Aluminum combined with osmium becomes so ductile that it can be drawn without breaking.

Secrets of the rarest and densest metal in the world

The fact that iridium belongs to the platinum group endows it with the property of immunity to treatment with acids and their mixtures. In the world, iridium is obtained from anode slimes in copper-nickel production. After processing the sludge with aqua regia, the precipitate is calcined, resulting in the extraction of iridium.

Characteristics

Most solid metal silver-white color has the following group of properties:

• element of the periodic table Iridium No. 77 has an atomic mass of 192.22 amu;
• a substance molten at 2466°C will boil at 4428°C;
• the density of molten iridium is within 19.39 g/cm³;
• element density at room temperature - 22.7 g / cm³;
• the crystal lattice of iridium is associated with a face-centered cube.

Heavy iridium does not change under the influence of ordinary air temperature. The result of calcination under the influence of heating at certain temperatures is the formation of polyvalent compounds. The powder of fresh sediment of iridium black lends itself to partial dissolution with aqua regia, as well as with a solution of chlorine.

Application area

Although Iridium is a precious metal, it is rarely used in jewelry. An element that is difficult to process is in great demand in the construction of roads, the production of automotive parts. Alloys with the densest metal that is not susceptible to oxidation are used for the following purposes:

• production of crucibles for laboratory experiments;
• production of special mouthpieces for glassblowers;
• covering the tips of nibs and refills of ballpoint pens;
• production of durable spark plugs for cars;

Alloys with iridium isotopes are used in welding production, in instrumentation, and for growing crystals as part of laser technology. The use of the heaviest metal has made it possible to carry out laser vision correction, crushing of kidney stones and other medical procedures.

Although Iridium is devoid of toxicity and is not dangerous to biological organisms, its dangerous isotope, hexafluoride, can be found in the natural environment. Inhalation of poisonous vapors leads to instant suffocation and death.

Places of natural occurrence

The deposits of the densest metal in the natural world, Iridium, are minuscule, much smaller than those of platinum. Presumably, the heaviest substance has shifted to the core of the planet, so the volume of industrial production of the element is small (about three tons per year). Iridium alloy products can last up to 200 years, jewelry will become more durable.

Nuggets of the heaviest metal with an unpleasant odor, Osmium, cannot be found in nature. In the composition of minerals, traces of osmic iridium can be found along with platinum and palladium, ruthenium. Deposits of osmic iridium have been explored in Siberia (Russia), some states of America (Alaska and California), Australia and South Africa.

If deposits of platinum are found, it will be possible to isolate osmium with iridium to strengthen and strengthen the physical or chemical compounds of various products.