78
Pt
Platinum
195

Platinum (Pt)

Transition MetalGroup 10Period 6d-block-block

Platinum is a chemical element with symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, gray-white transition metal. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina, which is literally translated into "little silver".

Latin name: Platinum

Atomic Number
78
Atomic Mass
195 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹

General

SymbolPt
Atomic Number78
Atomic Mass195 g/mol
CategoryTransition Metal
Group10
Period6
Blockd-block
Electron Configuration[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹
Valence Electrons10
Coloursilvery-white metallic
Appearancesilvery white
CAS NumberCAS7440-06-4

Physical Properties

Phase (STP)Solid
Density21.45 g/cm³
Melting Point1768.25°C · 3214.85°F · 2041.40 K
Boiling Point3824.85°C · 6916.73°F · 4098.00 K

Atomic Properties

Atomic Radius209 pm
Electronegativity2.28 Pauling
Ionization Energy870 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+2, +4, +6
Ion ChargePt2+/Pt4+/Pt6+

Thermodynamic

Molar Heat25.86 J/(mol·K)

Crystal Structure

Crystal Structureface-centered cubic

Mechanical Properties

Mohs Hardness4.5

Nuclear & Hazards

Half-lifestable

Abundance

In Universe0.000006%
In Sun0.000005%
In Earth's Crust0.00005%

Discovery & History

Discovered Byknown to pre-Columbian Americans; described in Europe in 16th century

Isotopes of Platinum

IsotopeAbundanceHalf-lifeDecay
Pt-1900.012%6.5 × 10¹¹ yearsα
Pt-1920.782%Stable
Pt-19432.967%Stable
Pt-19533.832%Stable
Pt-19625.242%Stable
Pt-1987.163%Stable

External References

← 77 Iridium79 Gold →