Cesium
Cesium
Cesium (pronounced /ˈsiːziəm/), also spelled caesium, is a chemical element with the symbol Cs and atomic number 55. It is a soft, silvery-gold alkali metal with a melting point of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F), which makes it one of only five elemental metals that are liquid at or near room temperature.
Etymology
The term Cesium derives from the Latin word 'caesius', which means 'sky blue'. This is in reference to the bright blue lines in its emission spectrum.
Related Terms
- Alkali metal: Cesium is a member of the alkali metal group, which also includes lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and francium.
- Atomic number: The atomic number of an element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. Cesium has an atomic number of 55.
- Emission spectrum: An emission spectrum is the range or array of light frequencies emitted by substances after they have been excited by heat or light. Cesium's emission spectrum includes bright blue lines, which led to its name.
Medical Uses
Cesium is used in medicine in a number of ways. For example, the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 is used in radiation therapy for certain types of cancer. Cesium chloride, a non-radioactive salt, is sometimes used as an alternative treatment for cancer, although its effectiveness and safety are controversial.
Safety
Cesium is highly reactive and can explode on contact with water. It can also be harmful if ingested or inhaled, and can cause burns on contact with skin. Therefore, it should be handled with care.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cesium
- Wikipedia's article - Cesium
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