RHODIUM
A hard lustrous white metallic element, 1804, Modern Latin, coined by its discoverer, English physician William H. Wollaston (1766-1828), and named for the color of solutions containing it, from Greek rhodios (made of roses, rose-like), from rhodon (rose). It is a very rare, corrosion-resistant transition metal. It is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metals.
- Symbol: Rh
- Color: white
- Density: 12.41 g/cm³
- Atomic mass: 102.91
- Atomic number: 45
- Melting point: 1,964 °C
Notable properties
- Rhodium has both a higher melting point and lower density than platinum. It is not attacked by most acids. It is completely insoluble in nitric acid and only slightly dissolves in aqua regia.
- Rhodium is currently the most expensive of all metals.
Uses
- Catalytic converters
- Jewelry
- Electronics
- Thermocouples
- Airplane sparkplugs