In order to determine which is the most heavy metal in the world, you need to consider two main contenders for this title, namely, osmium and iridium. The two most dense elements of the periodic table occupy places in it, respectively, at numbers 76 and 77. The density of these metals is, based on their properties, 22.6 grams per cubic centimeter.

To understand what the heaviest metal is, you can compare an ordinary cork with a cork made from any contender for the title of "The Heaviest Metal in the World." So, in order to balance the balance, it will take a little more than a hundred ordinary plugs, while they will have to balance just one, made of osmium or iridium.

Both metals were discovered at the beginning of the 19th century. Their discovery is attributed to the scientist S. Tennant, who in 1804 analyzed the sediments obtained as a result of the treatment of platinum nuggets with "aqua regia" (one part nitrogen and three parts In the sediment under study, he identified two chemical elements, which he assigned the names of osmium and iridium. Iridium gets its name from the Greek word for rainbow, because the salts of this element change color depending on the conditions.

The research was continued by K. Klaus, who, starting from 1841, received funding for research on the remains of the processing of native platinum in order to obtain additional portions of this precious metal. The goal was never achieved, however, in the process of work, the scientist decided to conduct a thorough study of the residual elements.

The reason why it is difficult to determine which is the most of these two elements is that the difference in density is a hundredth of a gram. The situation is aggravated by the fact that native elements do not exist in nature.

The heaviest metal is mined from nuggets, which are a compound of ruthenium, osmium, platinum, palladium and iridium itself. The resulting element is a powdery substance that can be forged at very high temperatures. At the same time, iridium is the so-called "platinum metal", which determines some of its properties, including complete immunity to acids and their mixtures. For example, interaction with "royal vodka" does not lead to any consequences. Iridium dissolves only in some alkaline mixtures, for example, in potassium disulfate.

What is the heaviest metal used for? Crucibles are made from it, which are ideal for laboratory work, as well as a special type of mouthpiece, which is used to produce refractory glass. It can also be found in expensive fountain pens and refills. ballpoint pens. In addition, due to the cost reduction, iridium began to be used in the automotive industry, where it is widely used in the manufacture of spark plugs. It should be noted that the resulting candles have a high cost, but their production justifies itself, since the result is very durable and reliable components.

Modern prices for this heaviest metal are 35 US dollars per gram of iridium.

Updated: 05.11.2019 14:38:43

Judge: Zalman Rivlin

*Overview of the best in the opinion of the editors of the site. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Our planet is rich in valuable resources, but there are those whose quantity is measured in crumbs. Oddly enough, these elements are among the most sought after in the world. Among them are heavy metals. Just imagine, an 8-cm cube of the heaviest metal in the world weighs as much as 12 kg (!). Today we will talk about the "heavyweights" in the world of metals.

Top 10 heaviest metals in terms of density

Nomination	a place	Metal	Density
Top 10 heaviest metals in terms of density	1		16.64 g/cm3
	2		18.92 g/cm3
	3		19.21 g/cm3
	4		19.85 g/cm3
	5		19.85 g/cm3
	6		20.48 g/cm3
	7		21.01 g/cm3
	8		21.44 g/cm3
	9		22.53 g/cm3
	10		22.62 g/cm3

Density: 16.64 g/cm3

Melting/boiling point: 3017 0 С/5458 0 С

A very rare metal, but far from the heaviest in the world. Under natural conditions, it is a silvery-white solid with a slight bluish tinge (oxide film). It was discovered back in 1802, but it was not immediately possible to isolate it: until 1844 it was identified with another metal - niobium.

Tantalum is one of the most refractory in the world (in this indicator it surpasses even the heaviest metal on the planet) and does not react with air: its surface is oxidized only when the air temperature rises to 280 0 C, which is impossible under natural conditions.

One of interesting features tantalum is considered to be its paramagnetism (when it enters a magnetic field, the metal is magnetized in the direction of this field). In addition, tantalum impresses with its resistance to aggressive environments: its surface does not “succumb” even to 70% nitric acid. This unusual metal is used in the military industry (in the creation of ammunition), medicine (in the production of prostheses), in the nuclear industry (in the creation of nuclear reactors), etc.

An interesting fact: despite its high strength, tantalum is very ductile (it can be compared with gold), so pure metal is very convenient to work with.

Density: 18.92 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 1132 0 С / 3745 0 С

The main and not the best way characterizing this solid metal is the difference from other representatives of the rating - its radioactivity. Uranium, being in natural conditions, goes through a long stage of transformation, consisting of 14 stages and culminating in its transformation into lead. True, this process takes billions of years.

In its pure form, uranium has a large weight, a silvery-white color, high ductility (it is slightly softer than steel) and mild paramagnetic properties. Uranium is easily oxidized upon contact with air, and the powdered substance ignites spontaneously at a temperature of about 150 0 C.

The main and obvious use of uranium is in the nuclear industry. The active "consumer" of the metal is considered to be nuclear power (production of reactors, power plants etc.). IN last years special rate began to do on the development of methods for extracting uranium from sea water, where the concentration of the solid is 3 μg / l).

Density: 19.21 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 3422 0 С / 3745 0 С

It got its rather original name (translated from Latin - “wolf foam”) because, when accompanied by tin ore, it interfered with the smelting of tin, turning it into slag foam. That is, he actually devoured a sheep like a wolf.

Tungsten is a lustrous, light gray solid. It is the most refractory metal on the planet: its melting point is close to the solar photosphere. It also has the highest proven boiling point on the planet. True, a “competitor” has recently appeared - seaborgium with a higher (supposed) melting point, but this is still not known for certain due to the short duration of the existence of the metal.

At one time, tungsten made a real sensation in the industry and today it is used as an indispensable basis for heat-resistant alloys. In addition, high strength provides this metal with wide application in various fields of human activity: it is used in aircraft engines, incandescent filaments, vacuum equipment, etc.

Density: 19.85 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 1064 0 С / 2856 0 С

One of the hardest metals on earth, but at the same time it is characterized by incredible ductility: it can be used to make a sheet with a thickness of only 0.1 microns (the so-called gold leaf). It is for this reason that the noble yellow metal has found its rightful place in jewelry. But at the same time, gold has a high density, which greatly simplifies the process of its extraction.

Gold has a very high electrical conductivity, which could make this metal indispensable in the process of creating microcircuits, but - alas: the cost of the raw materials is very high, and the prevalence is low.

Gold does not react with oxygen and most elements. The metal is not affected by acids and alkalis (an exception is aqua regia, which serves to test the purity of metals). Gold is one of the few metals used not only in industry, but also for the benefit of man (it is actively used in homeopathy and dentistry). In addition, the noble metal has found active use in banking: it is still a guarantor of the stability of any currency and a reliable investment tool.

Density: 19.85 g/cm3

The "younger brother" of uranium and the owner of high radioactivity. Under natural conditions, it is mined, but little and rarely, since it is simply impractical, but it is easy to obtain in the process of multi-stage conversion of uranium. Became the first chemically artificial substance produced on an industrial scale.

Enriched and natural uranium is used to produce plutonium. A few years ago, it was reported that in 2010 the world's last plutonium-producing reactor (in Russia) was shut down. But in the same year, Japan launched nuclear reactor. True, he did not have to work for a long time due to an accident that occurred a couple of months after the launch: the reactor was stopped, and after the tragedy at Fukushima-1, they completely changed their minds about launching it. In 2016, a decision was made to decommission the reactor.

Due to the obvious military potential, plutonium has been actively used in the production of nuclear weapons (the so-called weapons-grade plutonium), as a source of energy for spacecraft and as fuel for nuclear reactors.

Density: 20.48 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 640 0 С / 3235 0 С

Another radioactive "brainchild" of uranium obtained in the course of nuclear reactions. Considered to be the first transuranium element. A relatively soft substance is characterized by good malleability, slowly reacts with air, quickly oxidizing at its high temperature. On earth, this metal is found in trace amounts, so its extraction in natural conditions is simply meaningless.

Neptunium is dangerous for humans during radioactive decay: about 70-80% of its particles settle in the bone tissue, which leads to its complete defeat (the degree of damage depends on the valence of isotopes). Its main application is the production of plutonium.

Density: 21.01 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 3186 0 С / 5596 0 С

The discovery of a dense silvery metal was predicted by Mendeleev back in 1871, and its actual discovery took place only a century and a half later (in 1925). Rhenium was the last among the discovered elements with a stable isotope: all those discovered later did not have such.

Rhenium is one of the rarest elements on our planet. Its geochemical properties are similar to those of tungsten. Silver-white metal is considered one of the hardest and densest among all existing ones. In its pure form, rhenium is ductile even at room temperature, but it retains its strength even after repeated heating or cooling.

Rhenium is difficult to obtain, and its production is very material-intensive, so the metal is one of the most expensive: the price for 1 kg ranges from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars. "Extraction" of rhenium occurs mainly in the process of processing molybdenum and copper raw materials.

The scope of rhenium is due to a number of its properties (refractory, resistance to most reagents, etc.). At the same time, its high cost is taken into account: the use of metal is limited to those cases when it gives an advantage over the use of others. Basically, rhenium is used in the manufacture of rocket parts (especially jet and rocket engines).

Density: 21.44 g/cm3

Melting / boiling point: 1768 0 С / 3825 0 С

"Hardy" and hard platinum almost reached the top of our rankings, which is not surprising: it is one of the heaviest metals in the world. The precious substance is also considered one of the rarest on the planet. By the way, even the so-called native metal cannot be considered pure: it contains up to 20% iron, as well as rhodium, iridium, osmium, and less often copper.

Platinum is considered one of the most inert metals that does not react with acids and alkalis. Shiny silvery metal is actively used in jewelry and glass making, medicine (surgery), chemical industry, automotive industry, and thanks to resistance to vacuum - also in the creation of spacecraft.

An interesting fact: the majority of the world's platinum reserves are "hidden" in the bowels of only 5 countries - Russia, China, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United States.

Density: 22.53 g/cm3

In fact, iridium shares the first place with osmium - the difference in the density of these substances is hundredths of a gram. Nevertheless, this “heavyweight”, nevertheless, is a little easier. This is a very rare, valuable metal that absolutely does not interact with acids, water and even air. Iridium (like the leader in the ranking of the heaviest metals) is a refractory substance that is difficult to process.

Translated from Greek, it means "rainbow", which is not surprising, because iridium salts are distinguished by an incredible range of colors: from copper red to bright blue. White with a light silvery, as if a mirror shade, iridium is considered the most durable and one of the rarest on the planet: no more than 10 tons are mined per year, and most of the deposits are located at the place where meteorites fall.

It is used in high-precision mechanical engineering as an indicator of the tightness of welds. It is actively used by paleontologists and geologists as a temporary indicator of the discovered layer of a particular rock. Often one of the heaviest metals on the planet is also used to generate electricity. In recent years, iridium has received a rather unexpected and unusual application: for electrical stimulation of nerves and in the creation of prostheses for the human eye and ear apparatus.

Density: 22.62 g/cm3

Melting/boiling point: 2466 0 С/4428 0 С

The heaviest "representative" of Mendeleev's periodic table, and, accordingly, the heaviest metal in the world. The year 1803 was actually a turning point for this element, since during this period of time its discovery took place literally in racing conditions: two scientists discovered osmium in parallel - Tennant and de Fourcroix. But Tennant, nevertheless, achieved clearer and deeper results, and in official documents submitted to the Royal Society of London, he indicated that the element found was conditionally divided into two metals - iridium and osmium.

The extraction of osmium requires considerable costs, since it is rare and difficult to influence. Hence the impressive cost - $ 15,000 per 1 gram of the substance. The density of osmium is only slightly higher than that of iridium, although the properties of both species are not yet fully understood. The heaviest metal in the world is "unfriendly" to high temperatures: it is very refractory.

Osmium belongs to the group of platinum elements and is conditionally noble. And, although when solidified, osmium forms beautiful silver-blue crystals, it is not suitable for creating jewelry, because it is absolutely non-plastic and difficult to forge. It has a specific smell - garlic-chlorine mixture.

Highly valued for its strength, the metal is often added to make knots that are subjected to frequent and intense friction. Such alloys become incredibly strong and resistant to any impact.

The heaviest metals in the world

Metalshumanity began to actively use as early as 3000-4000 BC. Then people got to know the most widespread of these, it is gold, silver, copper. These metals were very easy to find on the surface of the earth. A little later, they learned chemistry and began to isolate from them such species as tin, lead and iron. In the Middle Ages, very poisonous types of metals gained popularity. Arsenic was in common use, with which more than half of the royal court in France was poisoned. So is mercury, which helped to cure various diseases of those times, ranging from tonsillitis to plague. Already before the twentieth century, more than 60 metals were known, and at the beginning of the XXI century - 90. Progress does not stand still and leads humanity forward. But the question arises, which metal is heavy and outweighs all the rest? And in general, what are they, these heaviest metals in the world?

Many They mistakenly think that gold and lead are the heaviest metals. Why exactly did it happen? Many of us grew up with old movies and saw how the main character uses a lead plate to protect himself from vicious bullets. In addition, lead plates are still used today in some types of body armor. And at the word gold, many people have a picture with heavy ingots of this metal. But to think that they are the heaviest is wrong!

To determine the heaviest metal, one must take into account its density, because the greater the density of a substance, the heavier it is.

TOP 10 the heaviest metals in the world

1. Osmium (22.62 g / cm 3),

2. (22.53 g / cm 3),

3. Platinum (21.44 g / cm 3),

4. Rhenium (21.01 g / cm 3),

5. Neptunium (20.48 g / cm 3),

6. Plutonium (19.85 g / cm 3),

7. Gold (19.85 g/cm3)

8. Tungsten (19.21 g / cm 3),

9. Uranium (18.92 g / cm 3),

10. Tantalum (16.64 g/cm3).

AND where is the pig? And it is located much lower in this list, in the middle of the second ten.

Osmium And iridium - the heaviest metals in the world

Consider main heavyweights who share 1st and 2nd places. Let's start with iridium and at the same time say thanks to the English scientist Smithson Tennat, who in 1803 received this chemical element from platinum, where he was present along with osmium in the form of an impurity. from ancient Greek can be translated as "rainbow". The metal has a white color with a silver tint and can be called not only heavy, but also the most durable. There is very little of it on our planet and only up to 10,000 kg of it is mined per year. It is known that most deposits of iridium can be found at the sites of meteorite impacts. Some scientists come to the conclusion that this metal was previously widespread on our planet, however, due to its weight, it constantly squeezed itself closer to the center of the Earth. is now widely in demand in industry and is used to generate electrical energy. Paleontologists also like to use it, and with the help of iridium they determine the age of many finds. In addition, this metal can be used to coat some surfaces. But it's hard to do so.

Further consider . It is the heaviest in the periodic table of Mendeleev, well, respectively, and the heaviest metal in the world. Osmium is tin-white with a blue hue and was also discovered by Smithson Tennat at the same time as iridium. Osmium is almost impossible to process and is mainly found at the sites of meteorite impacts. It smells unpleasant, smells like a mixture of chlorine and garlic. And with ancient Greek translates as "smell". The metal is quite refractory and is used in light bulbs and other refractory metal appliances. For just one gram of this element, you have to pay more than 10,000 dollars, from which it is clear that the metal is very rare.

Osmium

Howdon't say it, the heaviest metals are very rare and therefore they are expensive. And we must remember for the future that neither gold nor lead are the heaviest metals in the world! and - here are the winners in weight!

Platinum is a heavy, soft, silvery-white metal.

Rhenium is a dense, silvery-white hard metal.

Neptunium is a silvery white radioactive soft metal.

28.11.2018 at 01:43 · oksioksi · 8 870

10 heaviest metals in the world by density

Most of the heaviest metals are rare and extremely valuable. Many achievements modern technology and medicine would simply be impossible if they did not exist.

Most of these metals do not find wide domestic use (in best case, platinum and gold come to mind here). Therefore, only specialists can appreciate the significance of many of them for civilization. At the same time, the history of the discovery of some is interesting in itself.

10. Tantalum - 16.67 g / cm³

Extremely refractory (melting point 3017 °C), tantalum successfully replaces platinum in many cases.

It is used in jewelry - watch cases, bracelets and other jewelry are made from it. This is facilitated by the high hardness of the metal. In addition, it is cheaper than platinum, although more expensive than silver.

Its compounds replace platinum and as catalysts in the chemical industry. In glassmaking, the addition of this metal to the melt makes it possible to obtain glasses used for the production of small binoculars and light glasses. And tantalum is absolutely indispensable in the production of radio electronics.

9. Uranium - 19.05 g / cm³

From the name of this element came the designation of the planet solar system and not vice versa, as many people think.

It is a very heavy, flexible and malleable metal. Capable of spontaneous combustion. It is abundant both in the earth's crust and in sea water.

Thanks to uranium, invisible rays were accidentally discovered at the end of the 90th century (today the phenomenon of the emission of invisible rays by some natural substances is called radioactivity).

Natural uranium oxides have been used since ancient times in the manufacture of glazes for ceramic products. Today, compounds of this metal are also used to create yellow paint.

8. Tungsten - 19.29 g / cm³

The absolute champion in refractoriness. Boils at a temperature of 5555 ° C (the same - in the photosphere of the Sun).

The word wolfram means "devouring tin like a wolf eating a sheep." This name did not appear by chance. Tungsten, being among the tin ores, interfered with the smelting of tin.

Used to create wedding rings. Its strength symbolizes the stability of personal relationships. In addition, polished tungsten cannot be scratched by anything.

It is used in the production of incandescent filaments in various lighting fixtures.

7. Gold - 19.29 g/cm³

Under normal conditions, it does not oxidize and does not interact with most acids, therefore it is considered a noble metal.

Gold easily transmits heat and electricity, making it indispensable in radio electronics.

6. Plutonium - 19.80 g/cm³

The first artificial chemical element, whose production began on an industrial scale almost immediately after the discovery.

It is named after Pluto, which was demoted in 2006, depriving it of the status of a planet.

Interest in plutonium was initially driven by its military applications. The high density and abnormally high compressibility made it possible to manufacture compact, powerful and structurally simple atomic charges.

All plutonium isotopes are radioactive. The "reactor" isotope of plutonium makes it possible to create long-lived unattended (up to a hundred years of operation) energy sources.

5. Neptunium - 20.47 g / cm³

It was obtained artificially from uranium through nuclear reactions. It is interesting that it is not named after the ancient Greek deity Neptune, but indirectly - due to the practical invisibility in nature in honor of the planet Neptune, which itself was named after the deity, but for a long time did not succumb to observation by astronomers.

This metal has no independent value, but in the radiochemical industry it is a “stepping stone” from uranium to the production of the next important radio material - plutonium.

4. Rhenium - 21.01 g / cm³

Named after the river Rhine, after the place of discovery.

Very rare, the only economically profitable deposit of rhenium is located in Russia.

Refractoriness, chemical neutrality and good ductility allow this metal to be used to create medical instruments.

Heat-resistant alloys of rhenium with other metals are used for the production jet engines. Thus, rhenium is of great military and strategic importance.

3. Platinum - 21.40 g/cm³

The name platinum was invented by the conquistadors. Literally from Spanish, it means "silver". Such a dismissive naming is explained by the special infusibility of the metal. For many years they did not know how to use it, then platinum cost half as much as silver.

Today it is much more valuable than even gold. Extreme refractoriness, chemical inertness and excellent properties of the catalyst of chemical reactions make it irreplaceable in the industry. At the same time, high cost and good strength open the way for use in jewelry.

2. Osmium - 22.61 g / cm³

The name comes from the Greek "smell", as some chemical reactions with osmium lead to the isolation of a compound with a very persistent bad "aroma".

In chemistry and industry it is used as a catalyst. Strength and chemical neutrality make the metal indispensable in the production of medical implants.

1. Iridium - 22.65 g/cm³

Iridium salts come in a variety of colors. The name of the metal comes from the name of Irida, the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

In the earth's crust, iridium is forty times less than gold. In meteorite matter, its content is much greater than on Earth.

Combining iridium with platinum, one can obtain an alloy that is unusually strong and chemically resistant.

Iridium is an excellent catalyst, but due to the rarity of this metal and its high price, its use is limited. However, car owners are familiar with iridium spark plugs - they use the refractoriness and catalytic properties of a thin coating of iridium.

We all love metals. Cars, bicycles, kitchen appliances, drink cans, and more are all made of metal. Metal is the cornerstone of our lives. But sometimes it can be very difficult.

When we talk about the gravity of a particular metal, we usually mean its density, that is, the ratio of mass to the volume occupied.

Another way to measure the "weight" of metals is their relative atomic mass. The heaviest metals in terms of relative atomic mass are plutonium and uranium.

If you want to know which metal is the heaviest, if we consider its density, then we are happy to help you. Here are the top 10 heaviest metals on Earth, with their density per cubic cm.

10. Tantalum - 16.67 g / cm³

Tantalum is an important component in many modern technologies. In particular, it is used for the production of capacitors, which are used in computers and mobile phones.

9. Uranium - 19.05 g / cm³

This is the heaviest element on Earth, given its atomic mass - 238.0289 g / mol. In its pure form, uranium is a silvery-brown heavy metal that is almost twice as dense as lead.

Like plutonium, uranium is a necessary ingredient for building nuclear weapons.

8. Tungsten - 19.29 g / cm³

Considered one of the densest elements in the world. In addition to its exceptional properties (high thermal and electrical conductivity, very high resistance to acids and abrasion), tungsten also has three unique properties:

• After carbon, it has the highest melting point, plus 3422°C. And its boiling point, plus 5555°C, is roughly comparable to the surface temperature of the sun.

• It accompanies tin ores, but prevents the smelting of tin, turning it into slag foam. For this, he got his name, which in German means "wolf cream".
• Tungsten has the lowest coefficient of linear expansion when heated of all metals.

7. Gold - 19.29 g / cm³

Since ancient times, people have been buying, selling and even killing for this a precious metal. Yes, people, entire countries are engaged in buying up gold. The current leader is America. And it is unlikely that the time will come when there will be no need for gold.

They say money doesn't grow on trees, but gold does! A small amount of gold can be found in eucalyptus leaves if it is on gold-bearing soil.

6. Plutonium - 19.80 g / cm³

The sixth heaviest metal in the world is one of the most needed components for. And he is a real chameleon in the world of elements. Plutonium exhibits a colorful oxidation state in aqueous solutions, ranging in color from light purple and chocolate to light orange and green.
The color depends on the degree of oxidation of plutonium and acid salts.

5. Neptunium - 20.47 g / cm³

This silvery metal, named after the planet Neptune, was discovered by chemist Edwin Macmillan and geochemist Philip Abelson in 1940. It is used to obtain the sixth number on our list, plutonium.

4. Rhenium - 21.01 g / cm³

The word "Rhenium" comes from the Latin Rhenus, which means "Rhine". It is not difficult to guess that this metal was discovered in Germany. The honor of its discovery belongs to the German chemists Ida and Walter Noddak. It is the last element discovered to have a stable isotope.

Due to its very high melting point, rhenium (in the form of alloys with molybdenum, tungsten and other metals) is used to create components for rocketry and aviation.

3. Platinum - 21.40 g / cm³

One on this list (other than Osmium and California-252) is used in a variety of applications from jewelry to the chemical industry and space technology. In Russia, the leader in the production of platinum metal is MMC Norilsk Nickel. About 25 tons of platinum is mined annually in the country.

2. Osmium - 22.61 g / cm³

The brittle and at the same time extremely hard metal is rarely used in its pure form. It is mainly mixed with other dense metals such as platinum to create very sophisticated and expensive surgical equipment.

The name "osmium" comes from the ancient Greek word for "smell". When the alkaline alloy of osmiridium is dissolved in the liquid, a sharp amber appears, similar to the smell of chlorine or rotten radish.

1. Iridium - 22.65 g / cm³ - the heaviest metal

This metal can rightfully claim to be the element with the highest density. However, disputes about which metal is heavier - iridium or osmium, are still ongoing. And the thing is that any impurity can reduce the density of these metals, and obtaining them in their pure form is a very difficult task.

The theoretical calculated density of iridium is 22.65 g/cm³. It is almost three times heavier than iron (7.8 g/cm³). And almost twice as heavy as the heaviest liquid metal - mercury (13.6 g / cm³).

Like osmium, iridium was discovered by the English chemist Smithson Tennant in the early 19th century. It is curious that Tennant found iridium not at all purposefully, but by accident. It was found in an impurity left after the dissolution of platinum.

Iridium is primarily used as a platinum alloy hardener for equipment that must withstand high temperatures. It is processed from platinum ore and is a by-product of nickel mining.

The name "iridium" is translated from ancient Greek as "rainbow". This is due to the presence of salts of various colors in the metal.

The heaviest metal in Mendeleev's periodic table is very rare in terrestrial substances. Therefore, its high concentration in rock samples is a marker of their meteorite origin. About 10,000 kilograms of iridium are mined every year around the world. Its largest supplier is South Africa.