Rubidium is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is found in the Earth's crust in small quantities.
Sources of Rubidium:
Lepidolite: Rubidium is primarily extracted from the mineral lepidolite, which contains up to 3% rubidium.
Other minerals: Rubidium can also be found in other minerals such as carnallite, pollucite, and amblygonite, and can be extracted from these minerals using a variety of methods.
Uses of Rubidium:
Glass for Television: Rubidium is used in special glasses for television picture tubes to improve the color.
Atomic Clocks: Rubidium is used in atomic clocks, which are extremely accurate timekeepers that use the oscillations of rubidium atoms to measure time.
Photocells: Rubidium is used in photocells, which are devices that convert light into electrical energy.
Laboratory Reagents: Rubidium is used as a laboratory reagent in various chemical reactions and in the preparation of other chemicals.
Pyrotechnics: Rubidium is used in pyrotechnics to produce red flames and to produce flares for signaling purposes.
Production of Rubidium:
Lithium Processing: Rubidium is produced as a byproduct of lithium processing, where it is separated from the other elements in the lithium-bearing minerals.
Chemical Reduction: Rubidium can also be produced by the chemical reduction of rubidium compounds, such as rubidium chloride or rubidium hydroxide.
Properties of Rubidium:
Physical Properties: Rubidium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive and easily tarnished in air.
Chemical Properties: Rubidium is highly reactive and readily forms compounds with other elements.
Extract: Rubidium is extracted from lepidolite and other minerals using methods such as chemical reduction and lithium processing. Rubidium compounds, such as rubidium chloride and rubidium hydroxide, can be obtained by chemical reactions with other elements.