Indium (In)
"Indium, the 'Screen Whisperer,' is a silent but vital hero, making your digital displays glow with vibrant colors and bonding tough materials with a gentle, yet powerful touch. It's the unsung champion of clarity and conductivity!"
A memorable persona to anchor In in your mind.
7.31
Grams per cm³
156.6
Celsius (°C)
193
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Your smartphone's dazzling touchscreen likely glows and responds perfectly thanks to Indium!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1863
Discovered By
Ferdinand Reich & Hieronymus Theodor Richter
Origin of Name
"The name comes from the Latin ''indicium'', meaning violet or indigo."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
114.818 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
2027°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d105s25p1
1st Ionization Energy
5.786 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"It's a shimmering, silvery-white metal so incredibly soft you can easily cut it with a butter knife!"
Did You Know?
The Screaming Metal: Bend a piece of pure indium, and you'll actually hear a high-pitched 'scream'! This 'tin cry' is its internal crystal structure protesting as it rearranges.
Softer Than Lead: Indium is incredibly soft, even softer than lead! You can easily indent it with your fingernail or slice it with a kitchen knife.
Low-Melting Magic: With a melting point of just 156.6°C, Indium melts faster than chocolate on a hot day! This makes it perfect for special low-temperature solders and fuses.
Touchscreen Star: Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is the secret ingredient for most touchscreens and flat-panel displays. It's transparent AND conducts electricity, making your taps register perfectly!