Osmium

Atomic Number: 76
Symbol: Os
Atomic Mass: 190.23 u
Number of Neutrons: 114
Melting Point: 3033°C
Boiling Point: 5027°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.32.14.2
Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁶ 6s²

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Osmium is the 76th element in the periodic table and it is one of the transition metals. It is a hard, brittle, white looking metal in the platinum group which consists of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. Osmium can make a very dangerous compound which is Osmium tetroxide. It is toxic, volatile (evaporates at low temperatures), and dissolves in water. Osmium is used often in alloys to increase strength and melting point. Osmium is much rarer than gold, but doesn't cost as much. It costs around $400 USD per ounce. Osmium is obtained as a by-product from nickel and copper refining. Osmium can be mined in North America, and South America in a mineral called osmiridium. British chemist Smithson Tennant discovered osmium in 1803. The name of the element osmium is derived from the greek word for "smell".

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