Platinum is a transition metal in Group 10 of the periodic table. It is also classified with a group of similar metals, including ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium, with similar properties. This group of metals is known as the platinum group. Platinum has an atomic number of 78, an atomic mass of 195.08, and a chemical symbol of Pt.

Properties

Platinum is a silver-gray, shiny metal that is both ductile and malleable. It is so malleable that it can be hammered into a thin sheet no more than about 100 atoms thick. Such a sheet is thinner than aluminum foil. Platinum has a melting point of about 3,223°F (1,773°C), a boiling point of about 6,921°F (3,827°C), and a density of 21.45 grams per cubic centimeter. Its density is one of the highest of all elements.

Platinum is a relatively inactive metal that does not corrode or tarnish in...