Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Gallium

Atomic number 31 means that every Gallium nucleus contains 31 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Gallium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 31 means that every Gallium nucleus contains 31 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Gallium.

Gallium (Ga) is chemical element 31. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in semiconductors, LEDs and measurement instruments.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 31 means that every Gallium nucleus contains 31 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Gallium.

Keep exploring

→ Gallium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

31GaGallium
Gallium · Ga · Z = 31

Gallium (Ga) is chemical element 31. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Gallium (Ga) is chemical element 31. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in semiconductors, LEDs and measurement instruments.

What its position in the table tells us

Gallium sits in period 4, group 13 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.