Gallium

Atomic Number: 31
Symbol: Ga
Atomic Mass: 69.72 u
Number of Neutrons: 38
Melting Point: 29.76°C
Boiling Point: 2400°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.3
Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹

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Gallium is the 31st element in the periodic table, and it is the first element after the 10 transition metals in row 4. Elemental gallium is quite soft and silvery looking. At room temperature and normal pressure, it is a metal, but at higher temperatures it can turn liquid. Gallium even melts in your hand! This element is used in different small electronic devices. It is found in the earths crust and is extracted from ores such as bauxite and sometimes sphalerite, but it is rare. Gallium is part of the post-transition metals. It is also quite expensive ranging between 200$ US to 400$ US. The person that discovered gallium was Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in Paris. It was discovered in 1875. The word gallium comes from the latin word "Gallia" meaning France.

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