Indium
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
| Indium | |||||||||||||||||||
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| General Info | |||||||||||||||||||
| Atomic Symbol | In | ||||||||||||||||||
| Atomic Number | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Atomic Weight | 114.818 g/mol114.818 amu | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical series | Poor Metals | ||||||||||||||||||
| Appearance | Silvery-white solid 
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| Group, Period, Block | 13(IIIA),5,P | ||||||||||||||||||
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d10, 5s2, 5p1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 18, 3 
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| CAS number | 7440-74-6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Physical properties | |||||||||||||||||||
| Phase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Density | 7.31 g/ml | ||||||||||||||||||
| Melting point | 429.75 K156.6 °C 313.88 °F 773.55 °R | ||||||||||||||||||
| Boiling point | 2345 K2,071.85 °C 3,761.33 °F 4,221 °R | ||||||||||||||||||
| Isotopes of Indium | |||||||||||||||||||
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| All properties are for STP unless otherwise stated. | |||||||||||||||||||
Indium is one of the rarer chemical elements known to man. It is a silvery-white solid and not very temperature sensitive, and as a result can be used for a variety of things. It was discovered by Ferdinand Reich and Theodor Richter in Germany in 1863, and was finally isolated four years later in 1867. The metal gets it's name from the color "Indigo" in its atomic spectrum. It's uses are generally associated with electronics, but it does have a short history in fighter planes from World War Two as well. [1][2][3][4]
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Properties
Indium is a white and silvery solid metal at room temperature. It is one of the softest metals known to exist; if used on paper like a pencil, it will leave a mark like lead. One of Indium's interesting properties, is that as a pure metal, it emits a high pitch "cry" when bent. The technical name for this is a "tin cry". It sounds much like someone screaming. Another interesting property is how it stays soft and easy to work with at extremely low temperatures. Because of this, it is used in machines or equipment that are required to work in conditions approaching absolute zero.
Indium is one of two elements able to "wet" glass, the other being Gallium, and when mixed with acids, Indium dissolves. Indium only reacts with oxygen at high temperatures, whereas it remains non-reactive at room temperature.[5][6][7][8]
Occurrences
Indium is quite rare, and is produced from residue left over from zinc ore processing. It can also be found in Lead, Iron, and copper ores. It's abundance in the earth is about 0.1 part per million, which is about the same as Silver. The United States generally doesn't produce Indium, but imports it from Canada, Russia, or China. The Canadians produce most of the worlds Indium, and the largest Indium refinery is The Teck Cominco refinery in Trail, British Columbia. It is the largest single source, producing 32,500 kg in 2005, 41,800 kg in 2004 and 36,100 kg in 2003. [9][10][11][12]
Uses
Indium can be used for many things because of how it's physical properties seem to be impervious to the temperature. Indium's first major application was during World War Two, when it was used as a bearing lubricant in high-performance aircraft engines. Another one of its early uses was for making mirrors that were more corrosive resistant than "Silver" mirrors. Later it started being used for alloys and solders in electronics. Some of the electronics components made were photoconductors, germanium transistors, rectifiers, thermistors, and electroluminescent panels. However, Indium has become most widely used in making Indium-tin-oxide thin films for liquid crystal displays, or LCD TV's. [13][14][15][16]
Precautions
Indium, like metals in general, is for the most part non-toxic. In the welding and semiconductor industries, where indium exposure is relatively high, there have been no reports of any toxic side-effects. Interestingly, when taken orally, Indium has no dangerous side affects. However, when injected into the skin, it is highly poisonous. There are some experts who believe that Indium compounds damage the heart, kidney, and liver, and may be teratogenic. There is no proof of this in any way though and is considered by most people to be a "better safe than sorry" warning.[17][18][19][20]
References
- Indium Mark Winter, University of Sheffield, 1993-2009.
- Indium Chemistry Explained, 2009.
- The Element Indium Periodic Table, 2005.
- Indium Chemistry Operations, 2003.
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