77
Iridium
Atomic Number77
Atomic Mass192.2 u
CategoryTransition Metal
State at Room TempSolid
Year Discovered1803
About Iridium
The most corrosion resistant metal known: no acid attacks it. A thin worldwide layer of iridium in 66 million year old clay was the smoking gun for the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs. The original kilogram and meter bars were platinum-iridium alloy. Second densest element after osmium. Named after Iris, goddess of the rainbow, for its colorful salts.
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