Rhodium (Rh)
"The 'Invisible Shield,' a rare protector that cleans our air and dazzles with an unmatched gleam, often outshining even gold in value and resilience."
A memorable persona to anchor Rh in your mind.
12.41
Grams per cm³
1963
Celsius (°C)
195
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The secret hero inside your car's exhaust system, silently scrubbing harmful pollutants from the air you breathe.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1803
Discovered By
William Hyde Wollaston
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Greek ''rhodon'', meaning rose coloured."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
102.906 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
3695°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d85s1
1st Ionization Energy
7.459 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Shines with an almost supernatural silvery-white luster, making it incredibly reflective."
Did You Know?
King of Metals by Price: Rhodium isn't just rare, it's typically the most expensive non-radioactive metal on Earth, often fetching thousands of dollars per ounce!
The Rose Element: Its name comes from the Greek word 'rhodon,' meaning rose, because many of its compounds create beautiful red solutions when dissolved.
Air Cleaner Extraordinaire: Over 80% of the world's rhodium ends up in catalytic converters, silently scrubbing harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides from car exhaust and helping us breathe cleaner air.
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Rhodium boasts one of the highest reflectivities of any metal, making it perfect for high-performance mirrors in projectors, light fixtures, and scientific instruments.