Density
1.532 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)
Discovery
Discovered by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in 1861 using spectroscopy.
Common Uses
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Used in atomic clocks for high accuracy timekeeping.
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Used in specialized glass for optical instruments.
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Potential use in ion propulsion systems for spacecraft.
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Used in some medical imaging techniques.
Interesting Facts
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Its name comes from the Latin word "rubidus," meaning "deep red," due to the color of its spectral lines.
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A soft, silvery-white metallic element that is highly reactive, similar to other alkali metals.
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Reacts violently with water, releasing hydrogen gas which can ignite.
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Some isotopes of rubidium are radioactive and used in geological dating.
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