Sunday, September 9, 2012

39* Gallium

     "Grief is the other side of Love" - John Edward

Element of the day (day 39)
#31) Ga-Gallium -] metal 
Discovered in 1875 by Paul-Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, France.
A soft silvery metal with many unusual properties. A very low melting point; if gallium is held one's hand, it will melt. Has a very high boiling point, making it useful for high temperature thermometers. Also used in mirror making and alloys with other metals.

Rarely occurs in minerals except in trace amounts. Recovered as a by-product of refining bauxite to alulmina and from some copper and zinc ores. Gallite is the only mineral with gallium as an essential element (with Cu and S). No gallium is mined.

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