Rubidium is a metallic chemical element that is a very soft silver-white metal and is one of the alkali metals. It is extremely reactive when combined with water to form hydroxide. Rubidium oxidizes rapidly and when it is exposed to air it may ignite. it forms numerous coumpounds, such as:halides, oxides, sulfates and sulfides. it can be found in nature in forms such as: seawater(with lithium)and natural spring waters. Rubidium is much more abundant in the earth's crust than chromium, copper, lithium, nickel or zinc.
Rubidium did not become available commercially intil the early 60's as a byproduct of the manufacture of lithium chemicals. the metal is obtained by electrlysis or chemical reduction of the used chloride. rubidium and its sals has very little uses, rubidium salts are used in glasses and ceramics. Rubidium was discovered in 1861 by R.W. Bunsen and G.R. Kirchoff. it was one of the first elements to be discovered by spectroscopic analysis.
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