Periodic table / Osmium

Overview

Osmium (from Greek osme (ὀσμή) meaning "smell") is a chemical element with symbol Os and atomic number 76. It is a hard, brittle, bluish-white transition metal in the platinum group that is found as a trace element in alloys, mostly in platinum ores. Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element, with a density of 22.59 g/cm3.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Osmium is [Xe] 4f14 5d6 6s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 14, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Osmium is classified as a transition metal. It has an atomic mass of 190.233 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as silvery, blue cast.

Real-world uses of Osmium

As a transition metal, Osmium is typically used in alloys, industrial manufacturing, electronics, or as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Interesting facts about Osmium

• Osmium has the atomic number 76 and chemical symbol Os.
• It belongs to period 6, group 8 of the periodic table.
• Osmium was discovered by Smithson Tennant.

Explore Osmium interactively

Want to compare Osmium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Os to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.