Gallium
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Gallium is a silvery-white metal used in high-speed semiconductors and LEDs in the form of gallium arsenide (GaAs). The pure metal is somewhat brittle, and has a very low melting point of 29.78° Celsius (85.2° Fahrenheit). It will melt in your hand if held long enough, but this is not recommended because it stains hands and is difficult to get off.
| Gallium | |
|---|---|
| Properties | |
| Atomic symbol | Ga |
| Atomic number | 31 |
| Classification | Other Metals |
| Atomic mass | 69.7 amu |
| Other Information | |
| Date of discovery | 1875 |
| Name of discoverer | Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran |
| Name origin | From the Latin word Gallia, the old name of France |
| Uses | Semiconductor production |
| Obtained from | Bauxite, germanite, coal |
Uses
It is used in some thermometers in the form of an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin. The reason this alloy is used in thermometers is because itâs a liquid at room temperature and therefore can be used as an alternative to mercury (element), which is poisonous.