Osmium: Osmium

Located in Group 8 and Period 6 of the Periodic Table is the element used to detect fingerprints. This is Osmium.

Smithson Tennant

First discovered by Smithson Tennant in 1803 and isolated also by Smithson Tennant in 1803.

British chemist Smithson Tennant discovered osmium in 1803 in the residue left when crude platinum was dissolved by aqua regia. Osmium is produced as a by-product of nickel refining.

Smithson Tennant took a closer look and discovered Iridium and Osmium in the dark coloured residue left when crude platinum is dissolved by aqua regia (a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acid).

Osmium is used to detect fingerprint

Osmium is very poisonous when exposed with air. So, for safe use, Osmium have to be combined with other metals or elements. The powder used to detect fingerprints is a compound containing Osmium.

Atomic Number : 76
Name : Osmium
Latin Name : Osmium
Electrons per shell : [ 2, 8, 18, 32, 14, 2 ]
Discoverer : Smithson Tennant ( 1803 )
Isolator : Smithson Tennant ( 1803 )
Element's : Atomic Mass : 190.23 u
: Density : 22.59 g/cm³
: Type : Transition Metal
Chemical Properties :

Osmium Isotopes

Combines with oxygen to form poisonous compound
Isotopes:
Osmium - 184 : Protons: 76
: Neutrons : 108
: Electrons : 76
( Half Life : Stable )

Osmium - 185 : Protons: 76
: Neutrons: 109
: Electrons: 76
( Half Life : 93.6 Days )

Osmium - 187 : Protons: 76
: Neutrons: 111
: Electrons: 76
( Half Life : Stable )

Physical Properties :

Bluish - White color
Shiny
Melting Point : 3000 degrees Celsius
Boiling Point : 5500 degrees Celsius

How Osmium got its name?

Osmium comes from the Greek term osme, which means smell, scent, odor.

Uses

Osmium is used to produce fountain pen tips, instrument pivots, needles and electrical contacts. Osmium can also be formed into a compound to be used to detect fingerprints, too.