Antimony (Sb)
"Meet *Antimony*, the silent guardian of materials! This metalloid marvel makes allies tougher, electronics smarter, and even helps keep things safe from fire."
A memorable persona to anchor Sb in your mind.
6.697
Grams per cm³
630.628
Celsius (°C)
206
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Think car batteries, fire-resistant fabrics, or the tiny chips in your phone – Antimony is secretly boosting their power and safety!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
c. 1450
Discovered By
Tholden
Origin of Name
"The name derives from the Greek ''anti - monos'', meaning not alone"
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
121.76 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
1587°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d105s25p3
1st Ionization Energy
8.64 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Silvery-gray, super shiny, and oh-so-brittle – looks like metal, acts like something in between!"
Did You Know?
Antimony isn't a true metal or a nonmetal; it's a *metalloid*! This means it has properties of both, making it super versatile for high-tech applications.
For thousands of years, people in ancient Egypt and the Middle East used antimony sulfide as kohl, the dark eye makeup. Talk about an original 'smoky eye'!
One of Antimony's most important jobs is strengthening alloys. Add a little antimony to lead, and boom – you get a much harder, more durable metal perfect for battery grids and bullets.
Antimony compounds are star players in fire retardants! They release non-flammable gases when heated, helping to smother flames and save lives in everything from plastics to textiles.