Iridium (Ir)
"Iridium is the unyielding defender, the virtually indestructible champion of the elements, standing firm against corrosion and extreme conditions when all others crumble. Its incredible toughness and rarity make it the ultimate protector!"
A memorable persona to anchor Ir in your mind.
22.56
Grams per cm³
2446
Celsius (°C)
202
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The tiny, ultra-durable tip of some high-quality fountain pens or the robust electrodes in your car's spark plugs.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1803
Discovered By
Smithson Tennant
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
192.217 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
4428°C
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f145d76s2
1st Ionization Energy
9.1 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A gleaming, silvery-white metal that's super hard but surprisingly brittle."
Did You Know?
Iridium gets its name from 'Iris,' the Greek goddess of the rainbow, because its compounds form incredibly colorful solutions. Think of it as nature's own vibrant chemical palette!
This super-rare element is found in much higher concentrations in meteorites than on Earth's surface, making it a key indicator of extraterrestrial impacts. It's like a cosmic breadcrumb!
A thin layer of iridium found globally in rocks from around 66 million years ago strongly supports the theory that an asteroid impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Talk about leaving a mark!
Iridium is the second densest element known, only slightly edged out by its close cousin Osmium. A single cubic foot of iridium would weigh over 1,400 pounds!