What is Rubidium?
[[File:Rubidium amp.jpg|thumb|Rubidium in a glass tube]] '''Rubidium''' is [[chemical element]] 37 on the [[periodic table]]. Its symbol is '''Rb'''. Its [[atomic mass]] is 85.47. It has 37 [[proton]]s and 37 [[electron]]s. It is a soft silver colored [[metal]]. It was first discovered in 1861 by [[Robert Bunsen]] and [[Gustav Kirchoff]] in [[Heidelberg]], [[Germany]].<ref name=rsc/> ==Properties== ===Physical properties=== Rubidium melts at a very low [[temperature]], for example it could melt in a person's hand. Rubidium is an [[alkali metal]]. It can make an [[amalgam]] with [[Mercury (element)|mercury]]. ===Chemical properties=== Rubidium is very [[chemical reaction|reactive]]. It will ignite in air because it reacts with many other elements in the air like [[oxygen]] and [[nitrogen]].<ref name=rsc>{{cite web |url= http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/pages/data/rubidium_data.html |title=Visual Elements: Rubidium |first= |last= |work=rsc.org |year=2011 |accessdate=26 June 2011}}</ref> Rubidium reacts very violently with water to make hydrogen and [[rubidium hydroxide]], a strong corrosive [[base (chemistry)|base]]. The reaction is normally very hot so the hydrogen [[Combustion|ignites]]. ===Chemical compounds=== [[File:Rubidium chloride.JPG|thumb|right|alt=|Rubidium chloride]] Rubidium forms [[chemical compound]]s in only one [[oxidation state]]: +1. Some rubidium compounds have a mixed oxidation state, though. [[Rubidium chloride]] is the most common rubidium compound. [[Rubidium hydroxide]] and [[rubidium carbonate]] are also used commonly. Rubidium compounds makes a red-violet color in a flame. Most rubidium compounds are colorless. Rubidium compounds are not as common as other [[alkali metal]] compounds, such get sodium compounds. Otherwise, they are similar. *[[Rubidium chloride]], similar to [[sodium chloride]] *[[Rubidium hydride]], strong [[reducing agent]] *[[Rubidium hydroxide]], powerful [[base (chemistry)|base]] *[[Rubidium nitrate]], strong [[oxidizing agent]] *Rubidium[[Rubidium oxide|