The name of the element rhodium is inspired by the pinkish-red color of one of its compounds. The Greek word rhodon means "rose-colored". Rhodium does not react and does not form compounds easily. It is a rare metal. Most of the pure form is mined at the same time as platinum. Pure rhodium is hard and is used to harden precious jewelry, mirrors and optical devices, such as microscopes. It is mainly used in the production of catalytic converters for automobiles. Fiberglass, which is often found in protective equipment such as helmets, also contains rhodium.
Resumen de propiedades (Li)
| Atomic weight | 102.90549(2) |
| Discoverer (year) | Wollaston, William Hyde (1803) |
| Natural form | metallic solid (face centered cubic) |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d8 5s1 |
| Melting point (ºC) | 1966 |
| Boiling point (ºC) | 3727 |
| Abundance in earth's crust (ppm) | 0.001 |
| Isotope (abundance) | 103Rh (100) |
| Density g/cm3 | 12.41 |
| Van der Waals radius (pm) | 210 |
| Covalent radius (pm) | 134 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.28 |
| Vaporization enthalpy (kJ/mol) | 495.40 |
| Enthalpy of fusion (kJ/mol) | 26.59 |
| Specific heat capacity (J/g·K) at 25ºC and 1 atm | 0.24 |
| Thermal conductivity (W/cm·K) at 25ºC and 1 atm | 1.500 |
| Oxidation state | +3 |
| Electron affinity (eV) | 1.14 |
| 1st Ionization potential (eV) | 7.4589 |
