Platinum facts for kids

Some platinum nuggets from nature.

Platinum is a special, heavy, white metal. It is known as a precious metal because it is rare and valuable. In fact, it often costs more than gold.

In chemistry, platinum is element number 78. Its symbol is Pt. The name platinum comes from the Spanish word platina. This word means "little silver".

Platinum is very malleable and ductile. This means it can be hammered into thin sheets. It can also be pulled into long wire. Platinum is very stable. Acids do not easily affect platinum.

What is Platinum?

Platinum is a natural chemical element. You can find it in the Earth's crust. It is a very dense metal. This means it is quite heavy for its size. Platinum is also very resistant to tarnish and corrosion. This makes it useful for many things.

How is Platinum Used?

The most common use of platinum is in a vehicle's catalytic converter. A catalytic converter helps clean up harmful gases from car engines. Platinum helps turn these bad gases into less harmful ones. This helps protect our air.

Platinum is also used in jewelry. Its beautiful white color and strength make it a popular choice. It is also used in dentistry and some medical tools. This is because it does not react with the body.

Where Does Platinum Come From?

Platinum is a rare metal. It is found in only a few places around the world. Most of the world's platinum comes from South Africa. Other countries like Russia and Canada also mine platinum. It is often found with other valuable metals. These include palladium and rhodium.

Images for kids

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  Platinum being dissolved in hot aqua regia

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  A native platinum nugget, Kondyor mine, Khabarovsk Krai

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  Platinum-palladium ore, Stillwater mine, Beartooth Mountains, Montana, USA

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  Sulfidic serpentintite (platinum-palladium ore) from the same mine as above

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  Antonio de Ulloa is credited in European history with the discovery of platinum.

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  An aerial photograph of a platinum mine in South Africa. South Africa accounts for 80% of global platinum production and a majority of the world's known platinum deposits.

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  Cutaway view of a metal-core catalytic converter

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  Prototype International Meter bar made by Johnson Matthey

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  The anion of Zeise's salt

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  Dichloro(cycloocta-1,5-diene)platinum(II)

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  Cisplatin

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  1,000 cubic centimeters of 99.9% pure platinum, worth about US$696,000 at 29 Jun 2016 prices

See also

In Spanish: Platino para niños