Wikijunior:The Elements/Platinum
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[edit] What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?
Platinum is a heavy metal that is grayish-white.
It has a melting point of one and three quarters of a thousand degrees Celsius. This is hotter that a Bunsen burner flame. Heating platinum to this temperature makes it glow a reddish-orange color. Heating it up even more, to three and three quarters of a thousand degrees Celsius, will turn it into a glowing orange gas.
[edit] How was it discovered?
It was first discovered by South Americans and used by pre-Columbian Indians. It was taken to Europe in the 1750s.
[edit] Where did its name come from?
Did You Know?
- Platinum, even though it is a metal, can be scratched by minerals such as fluorite
- Platinum is a valuable metal, costing just over £1000 per ounce
Its name came from the Spanish word platina (meaning "little silver").
[edit] Where is it found?
Platinum is found in South America and Russia. It is obtained as a by-product of nickel and copper mining and processing.
[edit] What are its uses?
Platinum is used in jewelry, laboratory equipment, electical contacts, and dentistry. It is also used in the catalytic converter inside cars.
[edit] Is it dangerous?
Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, short-term exposure to platinum salts "may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat" and long-term exposure "may cause both respiratory and skin allergies."
