What is RHENIUM? - Rhenium Explained

Knowledge Archive

8 Jun 202201:27

Summary

TLDRRhenium, a silvery gray, heavy transition metal with the atomic number 75, is one of the rarest elements on Earth, found at one part per billion in the crust. Known for its exceptionally high melting point of 3100°C and boiling point of 5630°C, it was discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack, Ida Noddack, and Otto Berg in Germany. Rhenium's primary use is in nickel-based superalloys for jet engines, where it can reach up to 6% concentration, enhancing performance and durability. It also serves as a catalyst in various industrial processes.

Takeaways

🔬 Rhenium is a chemical element with the symbol Re and atomic number 75.
🌌 It is a silvery gray, heavy transition metal in group 7 of the periodic table.
🏔️ Rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust, with an average concentration of one part per billion.
🔥 It has the third highest melting point of any stable element, at 3100 degrees Celsius.
💧 Rhenium's boiling point is extremely high, at 5630 degrees Celsius.
📏 At room temperature, rhenium has a density of 21.02 grams per cubic centimeter.
💧 When liquid at its melting temperature, its density is 18.9 grams per cubic centimeter.
🕵️‍♂️ Rhenium was discovered by Walter Noddack, Ida Noddack, and Otto Berg in Germany in 1925.
🔍 They detected the element in platinum ore and in the mineral columbite.
🛫 Nickel-based superalloys of rhenium are used in jet engines, specifically in combustion chambers, turbine blades, and exhaust nozzles.
🛠️ These alloys can contain up to six percent rhenium, making jet engine construction the largest single use for this element.
🔄 The second most important use of rhenium is as a catalyst.

Q & A

What is the chemical symbol for rhenium?
-The chemical symbol for rhenium is Re.
What is the atomic number of rhenium?
-Rhenium has an atomic number of 75.
How is rhenium described in terms of its appearance and category within the periodic table?
-Rhenium is a silvery gray heavy, third-row transition metal in group 7 of the periodic table.
How rare is rhenium in the Earth's crust?
-Rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, with an estimated average concentration of one part per billion.
What are the melting and boiling points of rhenium?
-Rhenium has a melting point of 3100 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 5630 degrees Celsius.
What is the density of rhenium at room temperature and when it is liquid at its melting temperature?
-At room temperature, rhenium has a density of 21.02 grams per cubic centimeter, and when liquid at its melting temperature, it has a density of 18.9 grams per cubic centimeter.
Who is credited with the discovery of rhenium, and when did this occur?
-Rhenium is generally considered to have been discovered by Walter Noddack, Ida Noddack, and Otto Berg in Germany in 1925.
In what materials were rhenium first detected by its discoverers?
-Rhenium was first detected in platinum ore and in the mineral columbite by its discoverers.
What is the primary use of rhenium in the form of nickel-based superalloys?
-Nickel-based superalloys of rhenium are primarily used in combustion chambers, turbine blades, and exhaust nozzles of jet engines.
What percentage of rhenium is contained in these superalloys used in jet engines?
-These superalloys contain up to six percent rhenium.
What is the second most important use of rhenium?
-The second most important use of rhenium is as a catalyst.