Most of the heaviest metals are rare and extremely valuable. Many of the achievements of modern technology and medicine would be simply impossible if they were not.
Most of these metals do not find widespread domestic use (at best, platinum and gold come to mind here). Therefore, the significance of many of them for civilization can only be estimated by specialists. Moreover, the history of the discovery of some is interesting in itself.
We present you the rating of the most dense metals in the world.
List
- 10. Tantalum - 16.67 g / cm³
- 9. Uranium - 19.05 g / cm³
- 8. Tungsten - 19.29 g / cm³
- 7. Gold - 19.29 g / cm³
- 6. Plutonium - 19.80 g / cm³
- 5. Neptunium - 20.47 g / cm³
- 4. Rhenium - 21.01 g / cm³
- 3. Platinum - 21.40 g / cm³
- 2. Osmium - 22.61 g / cm³
- 1. Iridium - 22.65 g / cm³
10. Tantalum - 16.67 g / cm³
Extremely refractory (melting point 3017 ° C), tantalum in many cases successfully replaces platinum.
It is used in jewelry - watch cases, bracelets and other jewelry are made from it. This is facilitated by the high hardness of the metal. In addition, it is cheaper than platinum, although more expensive than silver.
Its compounds replace platinum and as catalysts in the chemical industry. In glass melting, the addition of this metal to the melt makes it possible to obtain glasses used for the production of small binoculars and light glasses. And tantalum is absolutely indispensable in the production of radio electronics.
9. Uranium - 19.05 g / cm³
On behalf of this element went the designation of the planet of the solar system, and not vice versa, as many believe.
It is a very heavy, flexible and malleable metal. It is capable of self-igniting. There is a lot of it both in the earth's crust and in sea water.
Thanks to uranium, invisible rays were accidentally discovered at the end of the 9th century (today the phenomenon of emitting invisible rays by some natural substances is called radioactivity).
Natural uranium oxides have been used since ancient times in the manufacture of glazes for ceramic products. Today, compounds of this metal are also used to create yellow paint.
8. Tungsten - 19.29 g / cm³
Absolute refractoriness champion. It boils at a temperature of 5555 ° C (the same in the photosphere of the Sun).
The word tungsten means "devouring tin, like a wolf to a sheep." This name did not appear by chance. Tungsten, being among tin ores, interfered with the smelting of tin.
Used to create engagement rings. Its strength symbolizes the stability of personal relationships. In addition, polished tungsten does not scratch anything.
It is used in the production of filament in various lighting devices.
7. Gold - 19.29 g / cm³
The gold content in the earth is very low, although there are many deposits rich in it. A little bit of gold is even in water - at least five micrograms of gold are present in each cubic meter of it.
Under ordinary conditions, it does not oxidize and does not interact with most acids, therefore it is considered a noble metal.
Gold easily transmits heat and electricity, which makes it indispensable in electronics.
6. Plutonium - 19.80 g / cm³
The first artificial chemical element, whose production almost immediately after the discovery began on an industrial scale.
It is named after Pluto, which in 2006 was "demoted", depriving the planet of its status.
Interest in plutonium was originally caused by its military use. High density and abnormally high compressibility made it possible to produce compact, powerful, and structurally simple atomic charges.
All plutonium isotopes are radioactive. The "reactor" isotope of plutonium allows you to create long-lived maintenance-free (up to a hundred years of operation) energy sources.
5. Neptunium - 20.47 g / cm³
It was obtained artificially from uranium through nuclear reactions. Interestingly, it was not named after the ancient Greek deity of Neptune, but indirectly - due to the practical invisibility in nature in honor of the planet Neptune, which itself was named in honor of the deity, but did not give in to observation by astronomers for a long time.
This metal has no independent value, but in the radiochemical industry it is a “stepping stone” from uranium to the production of the next important radio material - plutonium.
4. Rhenium - 21.01 g / cm³
Named after the Rhine River, at the opening.
Very rare, the only economically viable rhenium deposit located in Russia.
Refractoriness, chemical neutrality and good ductility allow the use of this metal to create medical instruments.
Heat-resistant alloys of rhenium with other metals are used for the production of jet engines. Thus, rhenium is of paramount strategic military importance.
3. Platinum - 21.40 g / cm³
The name was invented by platinum conquistadors. Literally from Spanish, it means "silver". This neglected naming is explained by the special refractoriness of the metal. For many years he did not know how to apply, then platinum was half the price of silver.
Nowadays it is much more valuable even than gold. Extreme refractoriness, chemical inertness and excellent properties of the catalyst for chemical reactions make it indispensable in the industry. At the same time, high cost and good strength open the way to use in jewelry.
2. Osmium - 22.61 g / cm³
The name comes from the Greek "smell", as some chemical reactions with osmium lead to the release of compounds with a very persistent bad "aroma".
In chemistry and industry it is used as a catalyst. Strength and chemical neutrality make the metal indispensable in the production of medical implants.
1. Iridium - 22.65 g / cm³
Iridium salts are distinguished by a variety of colors. The name of the metal comes from the name of Irida - the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
In the earth's crust, iridium is forty times less than gold. In meteorite matter its content is much greater than on Earth.
By combining iridium with platinum, it is possible to obtain an alloy unusually strong and chemically stable.
Iridium is an excellent catalyst, but due to the rarity of this metal and its high price, its use is limited. However, car owners are familiar with iridium spark plugs - they use refractoriness and catalytic properties of a thin coating of iridium.