Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Osmium

Atomic number 76 means that every Osmium nucleus contains 76 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Osmium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 76 means that every Osmium nucleus contains 76 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Osmium.

Osmium (Os) is chemical element 76. It belongs to the 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 alloys, catalysts and fountain pen.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 76 means that every Osmium nucleus contains 76 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Osmium.

Keep exploring

→ Osmium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

76OsOsmium
Osmium · Os · Z = 76

Osmium (Os) is chemical element 76. It belongs to the 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

Osmium (Os) is chemical element 76. It belongs to the 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 alloys, catalysts and fountain pen.

What its position in the table tells us

Osmium sits in period 6, group 8 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.