A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

94

Transition Metals

This dense, shiny mineral

consisting of platinum and

arsenic is the most common

ore of platinum.

Forms

Platinum

Pt

78

Spanish explorers first found platinum in

the mines of South America in the 1700s.

They obtained a whitish substance that the locals

living near there called platina, meaning “little

silver”. This precious metal has a silvery white

shine. Platinum rarely reacts with other elements,

even at high temperatures. This makes it difficult

to extract from its ores, such as sperrylite. Pure

platinum does not corrode or tarnish. It is,

however, not easy to shape or mould, so use of

platinum was limited to the making of simple

jewellery and watches. By the 20th century,

Large nuggets

of pure platinum

are rare.

Platinum

melts at the

high temperature

of 1,768°C

(3,214ºF).

78 78 117

State: Solid

Discovery: Unknown

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