Gallium melts just above ordinary room temperature.
Uses and research
Its compounds are used in semiconductor devices.
Composition changes a metal material
Metal materials make use of properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, luster and workability. Different metals do not share these properties to the same degree. Alloys and thin surface films can change behavior too. A product using an element is not necessarily made entirely from that pure element.
What the atomic number tells us
Gallium has atomic number 31. This is the number of protons in its nucleus. A neutral atom also has 31 electrons. Losing or gaining electrons makes an ion; it does not change the element unless the proton count changes.
The model's rings help count electrons by shell. They are not actual circular paths. A model of one atom and the properties of a whole material are different levels of description.
Temperature and state
25°C: Solid
Illustrative particle motion: sizes, distances and speeds are not to scale. Particles represent atoms or molecules.
← CoolHeat →
Melting point 29.76°C / Boiling point 2,203.85°C
Pure element at 1 atmosphere. Image conditions are explained in captions. Pictures do not change with temperature.