Rubidium (Rb): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D

Rubidium is element 37 on the periodic table, an alkali metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.

Open Rubidium in 3D All 118 elements

Rubidium (Rb) shown in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table — Rubidium in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table. Click the picture to open it live.

Rubidium quick facts

Atomic number	37
Symbol	Rb
Atomic mass	85.468
Category	Alkali Metal
Group and period	Group 1, period 5
Block	s-block
State at room temperature	Solid
Electron configuration	[Kr] 5s¹
Electrons per shell	2, 8, 18, 8, 1
Discovered	1861, Bunsen

What is rubidium used for?

Atomic clocks (GPS accuracy)
Research on quantum Bose-Einstein condensates
Rubidium vapour lamps

Interesting facts about rubidium

Rubidium atomic clocks on GPS satellites lose less than a second in many thousands of years
At near absolute zero, rubidium atoms form a Bose-Einstein condensate. A fifth state of matter
Rubidium ignites spontaneously in air and explodes in water

Rubidium was discovered in 1861 by Bunsen in Germany.

Where rubidium sits on the periodic table

Rubidium is in group 1, period 5. Tap any element to open its page.

HHe Li BeB C N O F Ne Na MgAl Si P S Cl Ar K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br KrRbSr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe Cs BaHf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn Fr RaRf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts OgLa Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb LuAc Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

Previous element36. Krypton Next element38. Strontium

Other alkali metals

3Lithium (Li)11Sodium (Na)19Potassium (K)55Caesium (Cs)87Francium (Fr)

Rubidium questions

What is the atomic number of rubidium?

Rubidium has atomic number 37, so every rubidium atom has 37 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Rb and its atomic mass is 85.468.

Is rubidium a metal?

Rubidium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as an alkali metal, found in group 1, period 5.

What is the electron configuration of rubidium?

The electron configuration of rubidium is [Kr] 5s¹. Its electrons sit in 5 shells: 2, 8, 18, 8, 1.

What is rubidium used for?

Rubidium is used for atomic clocks (gps accuracy), research on quantum bose-einstein condensates and rubidium vapour lamps.

Who discovered rubidium?

Rubidium was discovered in 1861 by Bunsen in Germany.

The 3D Periodic Table is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.