Gallium (Ga)
"The 'Melt-in-Your-Hand' Maestro, Gallium effortlessly transforms from solid to liquid, proving that even the toughest exteriors can have a secret soft spot. But don't let its gentle touch fool you; it's a high-tech hero powering our digital world!"
A memorable persona to anchor Ga in your mind.
5.91
Grams per cm³
29.7646
Celsius (°C)
187
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Think of those super-bright LED lights or the 'liquid metal' in some sci-fi movies – Gallium is often behind the magic!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1875
Discovered By
Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Latin name for France, ''Gallia''"
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
69.723 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
2229°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 3d104s24p1
1st Ionization Energy
5.999 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A shiny, silvery-white metal that literally melts in the palm of your hand, turning into a liquid mirror."
Did You Know?
Hold it in your hand, and poof! Gallium melts at just 29.76 °C (85.57 °F), turning into a silvery liquid right in your palm – cooler than a magic trick!
But don't call it 'liquid metal' all the time! At room temperature, it's a solid, shiny, silvery-white metal that looks totally normal.
It's a glass-wetter! Unlike mercury, which beads up, liquid Gallium loves to stick to and 'wet' glass, leaving behind a shiny, mirror-like film.
Superstar in your tech: Gallium is critical for Gallium Nitride (GaN), which powers the vibrant blue and white LEDs in your phone, screens, and even Blu-ray players!