Indium
| Atomic Number: | 49 |
| Symbol: | In |
| Atomic weight: | 114.82 |
| Discovery: | Riech & Richter 1863 |
| Electron Configuration: | [Kr]5s24d105p1 |
| Word Origin: | Indium is named for the brilliant indigo line in the spectrum. |
| Isotopes: | Twenty-three isotopes of indium are known. Only one stable isotope, In-127, occurs naturally. |
| Properties: | The melting point of indium is 156.61 °C, boiling point is 2080 °C, specific gravity is 7.31 (20 °C), with a valence of 1, 2, or 3. Indium is a very soft, silvery-white metal. The metal has a brilliant luster and emits a high pitched sound when bent. Indium wets glass. Indium may be toxic, but further research is required to assess its effects. |
| Uses: | Indium is used in low melting point alloys, making bearing alloys, transistors, thermistors, photoconductors, and rectifiers. When plated or evaporated onto glass, it forms a mirror as good as that formed by silver, but with superior resistance to atmospheric corrosion. |
| Sources: | Indium often is associated with zinc materials. It is also found in iron, lead, and copper ores. |
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