🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Ruthenium
• Discovered By: Karl Ernst Claus
• Year of Discovery: 1844
• Category: Transition Metal
• Group: 8 (Group VIIIB – Transition Metals)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (hard, silvery-white metal) ⚙️

Ruthenium is a rare, durable metal mostly used in electronics and as a hardening agent in alloys.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Ru
• Atomic Number: 44
• Atomic Mass: ~101.07 u
• Valency: Commonly +2, +3, +4, +8
• Electronic Configuration: [Kr] 4d⁷ 5s¹

Ruthenium is resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it ideal for special uses.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Ruthenium is part of the platinum group metals (PGMs), which are known for their strength and resistance to wear and corrosion. It is often used in small amounts to improve the hardness of other metals.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Ruthenium can improve the durability of platinum and palladium alloys.
• It’s used in electrical contacts and chip resistors because it resists corrosion and wears down very slowly. 💻
• Ruthenium compounds are sometimes used as catalysts in chemical reactions.
• It was named after “Ruthenia,” the Latin name for Russia, where it was discovered. 🌍
• Though rare, it’s vital for some advanced electronics and industrial applications.

🔧 Common Uses

• Electronics: Used in resistors, electrical contacts, and chip resistors for durability. 💻
• Alloys: Added to platinum and palladium to make them harder and more resistant to wear.
• Catalysts: Helps speed up chemical reactions in industrial processes. 🧪
• Jewelry: Sometimes used in platinum jewelry to improve strength. 💍

📚 Conclusion

Ruthenium is a small but mighty metal that boosts the strength and durability of precious metals and electronics. For students, it’s a great example of how even tiny amounts of special elements can have a big impact on technology and industry! 🔬⚙️