Cesium
By Olivia H., P.10
Cesium
Atomic Symbol: Cs
State at room temperature: solid
Atomic Number: 55
Melting point: 301.59 K, 28.44°C,
Atomic Mass: 132.9
83.19°F
Family: Alkali Metals
Boiling Point: 944 K, 671°C,
Group Number: One
1240˚F
Physical properties: Very soft, silvery-white, ductile metal
Properties
Physical properties: Very soft, silvery-white, ductile metal
Chemical Properties: Cesium reacts violently with water, ice, humid air, acids, sulfur,
and phosphorus. In order to avoid these reactions, it is stored and transported in
kerosene, which it doesn’t react with.
Uses: Cesium is used mainly in photoelectric cells,
but is also used in military infrared lamps, radio
tubes, and video equipment.
Discovery
Who: Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff
When: 1860
How: Cesium was one of the first elements discovered
by using spectroscopic methods
Where: Heidelberg, Germany
Origin of name: named “caesium” after the Latin word for “sky blue” (its spectral lines
were blue), but is spelled “cesium” in America
How it is obtained: Cesium is found mainly in the mineral pollucite. In order to obtain
pure cesium, cesium and rubidium ores are crushed and heated with sodium metal to
650°C
Sources
"CESIUM." Cesium, Chemical Element. Advameg, Inc., 2016. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Thomas. "The Element Cesium." It's Elemental
-. Office of Science Education, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
"Cesium." World of Scientific Discovery. Gale, 2007. Science in Context. Wed. 6 Jan.
2016.
Cesium Song
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
Oh Cesium
(Tune, Oh Christmas tree)
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
Thy spectrum doth us please-ium.
Thy sky-blue lines in plasma's fire,
Do dreams of icy lakes inspire.
When held, you never freeze-ium.
Thy gently smoking silver spheres,
When dropped in water, please the ears.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
When held, you never freeze-ium.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
You put us at our ease-ium.
You tend the seconds of the day,
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
So that our watches never stray
Thy spectrum doth us please-ium.
Oh Cesium, oh Cesium,
You put us at our ease-ium.