Gallium

By John Emsley2012-01-01T00:00:00

Source: Shutterstock

Goes liquid, glows blue and grabs neutrinos

A piece of gallium metal will melt in your hand. Its melting point, 29.7646°C, is one of the standard reference points on the International Temperature Scale. However, this is not the only important property of this curious element, some of whose compounds are an essential part of modern living.

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