[roo-bid-ee-uh
m] 
| a silver-white, metallic, active element resembling potassium, used in photoelectric cells and radio vacuum tubes. Symbol: Rb; atomic weight: 85.47; atomic number: 37; specific gravity: 1.53 at 20°C. |
| ru·bid·i·um (rōō-bĭd'ē-əm) n. Symbol Rb A soft silvery-white metallic element of the alkali group that ignites spontaneously in air and reacts violently with water, used in photocells and in the manufacture of vacuum tubes. Atomic number 37; atomic weight 85.47; melting point 38.89°C; boiling point 688°C; specific gravity (solid) 1.532; valence 1, 2, 3, 4. See Table at element. [From Latin rūbidus, red; see reudh- in Indo-European roots.] |
rubidium ru·bid·i·um (r&oomacr;-bĭd'ē-əm)
n.
Symbol Rb
A soft metallic element of the alkali group. Atomic number 37; atomic weight 85.47; melting point 39.31°C; boiling point 688°C; specific gravity (solid) 1.532; valence 1, 2, 3, 4.
rubidium (r -bĭd'ē-əm) Pronunciation Key
Symbol Rb A soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali group. It ignites spontaneously in air and reacts violently with water. Rubidium is used in photoelectric cells, in making vacuum tubes, and in radiometric dating. Atomic number 37; atomic weight 85.47; melting point 38.89°C; boiling point 688°C; specific gravity (solid) 1.532; valence 1, 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table. |
rubidium
chemicalchemical element of Group 1 (also called Group Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group. Rubidium is the second most reactive metal and is very soft, with a silvery-white lustre. A brief treatment of rubidium follows. For full treatment, see alkali metal.
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