INORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site platinum (Pt) Specimen of sperrylite: a rare mineral that is the only native compound of platinum. Photo from MII, courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution A lustrous, silvery-white metallic element; a transition element. It was known to native South Americans before the arrival of Columbus, and was first taken to Europe in 1750; it is chiefly found in some ores of nickel. Malleable and ductile, platinum is used in jewelry, dentistry, electrical-resistance wire, magnets, thermocouples, surgical instruments, electrodes, and as a catalyst in catalytic converters in cars, for the contact process, and (alloyed with rhodium) for the Ostwald process. Platinum is chemically unreactive and resists tarnishing and corrosion. These traits are shared with five other elements that, with platinum, and often found together as alloys and form the platinum group: iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium. Its most common isotope is 195Pt (33.8%). atomic number 78 relative atomic mass 195.09 relative density 21.45 melting point 1,772°C (3,222°F) boiling point 3,800°C (6,872°F) Related category    • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP