Although Cs is not effectively accumulated in the body, the Cs-134 and Cs-137 isotopes (present in radiation) may represent a radioactivity problem depending on the area.A: Immediately (much less than a second) after the Big Bang, the universe was both too hot and too dense for elements to form. In lab rat studies, all rats that were fed cesium died. Although similar to potassium, cesium cannot replace it in diet. Large amounts of cesium can cause spasms and abnormal stimulation. It is a mildly toxic element because of its similarity to potassium. Compounds of Cs are rarely encountered by humans. Cesium also ignites in air and becomes cesium hydroxide or other various oxides. Because cesium is so reactive, even ice can trigger an explosion. This contact generates hydrogen gas that is heated by thermal energy that is released at the same time, which then causes ignition of the gas and a violent explosion ensues. It is highly explosive when it comes into contact with water. Once it decomposes, it turns into barium-137m and then shortly after that into a form of no radioactive barium.Īlkali metals are highly reactive, and cesium, being one of the heaviest alkali metals, is one of the most reactive. Large quantities of Cs-137 was released into the atmosphere during the 1986 Chernobyl meltdown. Cs-137 has been produced in nuclear power plants and by nuclear detonation of weapons. Almost all the other isotopes have half-lives ranging from a few days to just a few seconds or less. Only one of these isotopes (Cs-133) is naturally stable. The atomic masses of these isotopes range from 112 to 151. ![]() It has the second most known isotopes of all the elements (francium has the most). Pure cesium can be produced by thermal decay of cesium azide. It is estimated that about 300,000 metric tons of pollucite ore exists within the lakebed with an average of 20% cesium by weight. One of the world’s richest sources of cesium is located in Bernic Lake Manitoba. The most common sources are lepidolite and pollucite. Cesium is found in many different sources. Other uses for cesium and its compounds/isotopes include organic hydrogenation, medical treatment of cancer, organic chemistry, molecular biology, oxidation and pyrotechnics for infrared flares, spectrophotometry, exhaust reduction of military aircraft, industrial applications for gauges and devices, and has also been used in many magnetometers. Early ion engines used cesium as a propellant until the Hughes Research Laboratory found that xenon gas was more suitable for the job. Cs-134 is used in hydrology and the nuclear power industry. Since 1967, the properties of cesium have been relied upon as an accurate measurement of time. Cesium is also used in atomic clocks, which are accurate to seconds over long periods of time (thousands of years). Because of its stable isotopic nature, cesium is environmentally safer than some other metal compounds that could be used for oil drilling. –Ĭesium is mostly used today in drilling fluids for the oil industry. It is sometimes said that cesium hydroxide has the strongest base, although many other compounds without hydroxide bases are stronger. Cesium hydroxide has a very strong base and will easily scratch the surface of glass. The temperature for it to react this way must be above -177 degrees Fahrenheit. Cesium reacts to cold water and ice in an explosive manner. Gallium, francium, rubidium, mercury, and cesium are the only pure metals that are liquid at room temperature. ![]() It is also the least abundant of the five alkali metals (Francium is actually the least common metal, but it has no stable isotopes). Of all the chemical elements, cesium has the lowest ionization potential. Cesium has been mostly used in research and development since its discovery, mostly in chemical and electrical applications. Cesium metal was first produced in 1882 using electrolysis. It was the first element to be discovered using this method. The caesium was found by using spectrum analysis which picked up bright blue lines. Several grams of caesium salt were recorded in about 11,600 gallons of mineral water. It was discovered in 1860 by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in Durkheim, Germany in mineral water found there. Cesium comes from the Latin word caesius meaning “Ëœbluish-gray’. Caesium is a metal that is most widely known for its use in atomic clocks. It melts and liquefies at 83 degrees Fahrenheit and is one of only five metals that are liquid close to room temperature. ![]() ![]() Caesium is a soft alkali metal that is silvery-gold. (or Caesium) is a chemical element with the symbol Cs and atomic number 55.
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