Osmium
Osmium, element #76, has an atomic mass of 190.2 and electron levels of
2-8-18-32-14-2. It is a member of the iron triad, with valences of +4, 2, 3, 6, and 8.
Osmium is the heaviest of all the elements with a density of 22.57 g/cm cubed. It was
discovered in 1804 by Smithson Tennant of England. Os melts at 3026.85 degrees C and boils
at 5026.85 degrees C. Os has poisonous vapors, ans occurs in the mineral iridosmine. Os is lustrous,
bluish-white, extremely hard, and brittle at all temperatures. Os is used almost exclusively to
produce very hard alloys.
June 18, 1997
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