Osmium is an extremely dense, hard platinum-group metal used sparingly because its volatile tetroxide is highly toxic.
Atomic number
76
Category
Transition metal
Period
6
Group
8
State
Solid
Fun facts about Osmium
Osmium tetroxide fixes and stains biological samples for electron microscopy.
The pure metal is difficult to machine because it is hard and brittle.
It occurs naturally alloyed with other platinum-group metals.
Common uses of Osmium
Electron-microscopy staining
Hard wear-resistant alloys
Specialised chemical catalysts
Where Osmium sits in the periodic table
Osmium is classified as a transition metal in period 6 and group 8 of the periodic table. Under the conditions represented in this reference, its state is solid.
Quick chemistry revision
For quick revision, pair the symbol Os with atomic number 76 and the listed atomic mass 190.23. The summary, facts, and uses above keep those element properties together in one reference.