Platinum

subject = Chemistry title = Platinum Platinum is a relatively rare, chemically inert, metallic element. It symbol is Pt, atomic number is 78, and its atomic weight is 195.09. Platinum is one of the heaviest substances known. One cubic foot of Platinum weighs 21 times as much as a cubic foot of water. A grayish-white metal, Platinum has a melting point of 1772 degrees C and a realatively high boiling point of 3827 degrees C. It has a high fusing point, is …

…Platinum alloys because they must withstand high temperatures for long periods of time. At petroleum refineries, finely divided Platinum is used as a catalyst in upgrading the octane of gasoline. In automobiles, converters containing Platinum-Palladium alloys reduce air pollution from exhaust gases. High quality optical glass for television picture tubes and eyeglasses is melted in pots lined with nonreactive Platinum alloys. A form of Platinum,cisplatin, stops cancer cell division and disrupts its growth pattern.