A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

32

Alkali Metals

Rubidium makes

up only about

1 per cent

of this mineral.

Forms

Rubidium

Rb

37

Rubidium was named after the Latin word

rubidius, meaning “deepest red”. This refers

to the red-coloured flame it produces when

burned. This highly reactive element ignites on

contact with air. On contact with water, it reacts

vigorously, producing hydrogen gas and a lot of

heat. Rubidium is not often concentrated in

particular minerals, but instead is spread in small

amounts through a wide range of minerals, such

as leucite and pollucite. The pure metal is

sourced mainly from the mineral lepidolite.

Another mineral called rubicline has even more

This soft mineral contains

up to 3.5% rubidium.

This glass case contains

pure rubidium, preventing

it from coming into contact

with air and catching fire.

Leucite

Pale,

waxy

mineral

37 37 48

State: Solid

Discovery: 1861

This ore

contains caesium

and rubidium.

Lep

ido

lit

e

La

bo

ra

to

ry

(^) s
am
p
le
(^) o
f
p
ur
e
ru
bi
di
um
(^) in
(^) a
n
(^) a
ir
le
ss
(^) v
ia
l
Po
llu
cite
032-033_Rubidium.indd 32 12/12/16 5:37 pm