31

Ga

Gallium
69.723 (1)
 Historical Information

Gallium was an element whose existence was predicted by Mendeleev in 1871. He predicted that the then unknown element gallium should resemble aluminium in its properties. He suggested therefore the name ekaaluminium (symbol Ea). His predictions for the properties of gallium are remarkably close to the reality.

Basic Information Shells
  • Name:Gallium
  • Symbol: Ga
  • Atomic number: 31
  • Atomic weight: 69.723 (1)
  • Standard state: solid at 298 K (but melts only slightly above this temperature)
  • Group in periodic table:13
  • Group name: none
  • Period in periodic table: 4
  • Block in periodic table: p-block
  • Classification: Metallic
 Gallium
Uses Trivia
  • alloying
  • gallium arsenide converts electricity into coherent light
  • gallium wets glass or porcelain

Ultra-pure gallium has a beautiful, silvery appearance, and the solid metal exhibits a conchoidal fracture similar to glass.