Classification of Ruthenium
Ruthenium is classified as a transition metal. It belongs to Group 8 of the periodic table, alongside iron and osmium, and is a member of the platinum group metals.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance
The element Ruthenium exhibits a distinct silvery-white luster. When observed, it presents a metallic sheen characteristic of noble metals.
Texture and Hardness
Ruthenium is known for its extreme hardness. It is one of the hardest platinum group metals. Despite its hardness, it is also quite brittle, meaning it can break or fracture under stress rather than deforming plastically.
State of Matter
At standard room temperature (approximately 25 °C), Ruthenium exists in a solid state. Its crystal structure is hexagonal close-packed (hcp).
Thermal Properties
Ruthenium possesses high melting and boiling points, reflecting the strong metallic bonds within its structure.
- The melting point of Ruthenium is approximately 2334 °C.
- The boiling point of Ruthenium is approximately 4150 °C.