General | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Name, Symbol, Number | Antimony, Sb, 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series | metalloids | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Group, Period, Block | 15 (VA), 5 , p | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Density, Hardness | 6697 kg/m3, 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearance | silvery lustrous grey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atomic Properties | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atomic weight | 121.760 amu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atomic radius (calc.) | 145 (133) pm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Covalent radius | 138 pm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
van der Waals radius | no data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electron configuration | [Kr]44d10 5s2 5p3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
e- 's per energy level | 2, 8, 18, 18, 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oxidation states (Oxide) | ±1 (mildly acidic) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crystal structure | Rhombohedral | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Physical Properties | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
State of matter | Solid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Melting point | 903.78 K (1167.13 °F) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boiling point | 1860 K (2889 °F) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Molar volume | 18.19 ×1010-3 m3/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heat of vaporization | 77.14 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heat of fusion | 19.87 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vapor pressure | 2.49 E-9 Pa @ 6304 K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Speed of sound | __ m/s at __ K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miscellaneous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electronegativity | 2.05 (Pauling scale) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Specific heat capacity | 210 J/(kg*K) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrical conductivity | 2.88 106/m ohm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thermal conductivity | 24.3 W/(m*K) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st ionization potential | 834 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd ionization potential | 1594.9 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd ionization potential | 2440 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th ionization potential | 4260 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th ionization potential | 5400 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th ionization potential | 10400 kJ/mol | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most Stable Isotopes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SI units & STP are used except where noted. |
Table of contents |
2 Applications 3 History 4 Sources 5 Precautions 6 External Links |
Notable Characteristics
Antimony in its elemental form is a silvery white, brittle, fusible, crystalline solid that exhibits poor electrical and heat conductivity properties and vaporizes at a low temperatures. A metalloid, antimony, resembles metal in its appearance and physical properties, but does not chemically react as a metal. It is also attacked by oxidizing acids and halogens.
Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 ppm. Antimony is chalcophile, occurring with sulfur and the heavy metals lead, copper, and silver.
Applications
Antimony is increasingly being used in the semiconductor industry in the production of diodes, infrared detectors, and Hall-effect devices. As an alloy, this semi-metal greatly increases lead's hardness and mechanical strength. The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. Other uses;
- Batteries,
- antifriction alloys,
- type metal,
- small arms and tracer bullets,
- cable sheathing
History
Antimony (Greek anti plus monos meaning "a metal not found alone") was recognized in antiquity in various compounds and was later known as a metal at the beginning of the 17th century and possibly earlier. This element was first scientifically reported by Tholden in 1450. The natural sulfide of antimony, stibnite, was known and used in Biblical times as medicine and as a cosmetic. The relationship between antimony's modern name and its symbol is complex; the Coptic name for the cosmetic powder antimony sulfide was borrowed by the Greeks, which was in turn borrowed by Latin, resulting in stibium. The chemical pioneer Jacob Berzelius used an abbreviation of this name for antimony in his writings, and his usage remained.
Sources
Even though this element is not abundant, it is found in over 100 mineral species. Antimony is sometimes found native, but more frequently it is found in the sulfide stibnite (Sb2S3) which is the predominant ore mineral. Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and single crystals.
Precautions
Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic.
External Links