Cesium (Cs)
Precious Metals | Atomic Number: 55
Basic Properties
Cs
55
132.905 g/mol
| Element Category | Precious Metals |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 55 |
| Atomic Weight | 132.905 g/mol |
| Crystal Structure | Body-centered cubic (BCC) |
Description
Cesium is the most electropositive element and has the lowest ionization energy of all elements.
| Density | 1.93 g/cm³ |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1.2 MPa |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 0.2 Mohs |
| Melting Point | 28.4°C |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 671°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 35.9 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 4.89 × 10^6 S/m |
|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Poor - reacts violently with water and air |
|---|
Applications
Atomic clocks, photoelectric cells, catalysts, drilling fluids, medical applications
Production Methods
Reduction of cesium compounds with calcium or magnesium
History
Discovered by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in 1860 via spectroscopy.