| Rubidium is a chemically reactive, silvery-white | | | | present in significant amounts in other minerals such |
| metallic element of the alkali metals’ group. It is | | | | as lepodite (1.5%), pollucite and carnallite. It is also |
| one of the most electropositive and alkaline elements. | | | | present in traces in trace amounts in other minerals |
| Rubidium was discovered spectroscopically in 1860 in | | | | such as zinnwaldite and leucite. The amount of |
| the mineral lepidolite, which is now the element’s | | | | rubidium produced every year is small, and what |
| main commercial ore. They named the element after | | | | demand there is can be met from a stock of a |
| the ruby red lines prominent in its spectrum. Metallic | | | | mixed carbonate by-product that is collected during |
| rubidium is silvery white and very soft. After cesium, | | | | the extraction of lithium from lepodite. The little |
| it is the most active of the alkali metals. It tarnishes | | | | rubidium that is produced is used for research |
| immediately upon exposure to air and ignites | | | | purposes only, these is no incentive to seek |
| spontaneously to form rubidium oxide. It reacts | | | | commercial outlets for the material. |
| violently with water. | | | | Rubidium has no known biological role but has a slight |
| Rubidium can become liquid at ambient temperature, | | | | stimulatory effect on metabolism, probably because it |
| but only on a hot day given that its melting point is | | | | is like potassium. The two elements are found |
| about 40°C. Its flame is yellowish-violet. Rubidium | | | | together in minerals and soils, although potassium is |
| and its salts have few commercial uses. The metal is | | | | much more abundant than rubidium. Plant will adsorb |
| used in the manufacture of photocells and in the | | | | rubidium quite quickly. When stresses by deficiency |
| removal of residual gases from vacuum tubes. | | | | of potassium some plants, such as sugar beet, will |
| Rubidium salts are used in glasses and ceramics and in | | | | respond to the addition of rubidium. In this way |
| fireworks to give them a purple colour. Potential | | | | rubidium enters the food chain and so contributes to |
| uses are in ion engines for space vehicles, as working | | | | a daily intake of between 1 and 5 mg. No negative |
| fluid in vapor turbines, and as getter in vacuum tubes. | | | | environmental effects have been reported. |
| Rubidium is a widely distributed element, ranking | | | | It is moderately toxic by ingestion. If rubidium ignites, |
| about 16th in order of abundance of the elements in | | | | it will cause thermal burns. Rubidium readily reacts |
| Earth’s crust. The relative abundance of rubidium | | | | with skin moisture to form rubidium hydroxide, which |
| has been reassessed in recent years and it is now | | | | causes chemical burns of eyes and skin. Signs and |
| suspected of being more plentiful than previously | | | | symptoms of overexposure to this element are skin |
| calculated. It is not found in large deposits but occurs | | | | and eye burns, failure to gain weight, ataxia, hyper |
| in small amounts in certain mineral waters and in | | | | irritation, skin ulcers, and extreme nervousness. |
| many minerals usually associated with other alkali | | | | Medical condition is aggravated by exposure to heart |
| metals. It is also found in small quantities in tea, | | | | patients due to potassium imbalance. In case of |
| coffee, tobacco, and other plants, and trace | | | | exposure to eyes immediately flush with running |
| quantities of the element may be required by living | | | | water for 15 minutes while holding eyelid. Obtain |
| organisms. Rubidium is used in making certain | | | | medical attention immediately. In case of skin |
| catalysts. The rate of radioactive decay of | | | | exposure remove material and flush with soap and |
| rubidium-87 can be used in geologic age | | | | water. Remove contaminated clothing. Get medical |
| determination. | | | | attention promptly. In case of inhalation move to |
| It is not only like potassium but also there are no | | | | fresh air immediately. If irritation persists, get medical |
| environments where it is seen as a threat. No | | | | attention. In case of ingestion do not induce vomiting. |
| minerals of rubidium are known, but rubidium is | | | | Rather try to get medical attention immediately. |