Atomic number 31
Gallium
Post-transition metal
In the real world


Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 69.723
- Group
- 13
- Period
- 4
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.81
- Common ox. states
- +3
Properties
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹
- Ionization energy
- 578.8 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 41.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 302.91 K (29.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 2673.00 K (2399.8 °C)
How dangerous is it?
Safe to hold. This shiny metal melts in your warm hand and is low in toxicity. (Keep it off aluminum, which it weakens.)
How it bonds
Gallium normally shows +3 (Ga₂O₃, GaCl₃) - predictable group-13 behavior. Famous for melting at body temperature (29.76 °C); a gallium spoon will melt in a cup of tea. Used in GaAs (gallium arsenide) semiconductors.
