Platinum

See also gold record

Previous Iridium---Gold Next
To the Periodic Table

Symbol: Pt
Atomic number: 78
Atomic weight: 195.078
Density (at room temperature and pressure): 21.45 g/cc
Melting point: 1,770°C
Boiling point: 3,827°C
Ground state electron configuration: [Xe]4f¹⁴5d⁹6s¹

Platinum from roundabouts

Platinum is a very valuable metal. It is used in jewellery but it's main use is as a catalyst for a huge number of different reactions.

Most importantly, it is crucial to the functioning of catalytic converters.

One problem with platinum is that it does not often form very concentrated seams, so huge volumes of rock must be processed in order to obtain relatively small amounts of platinum. This makes catalytic converters very expensive.

The nature of catalysts means that the platinum is never used up. But in order to make the converters as efficient as possible the platinum is very finely divided which means it can be dislodged and blown out through the exhaust relatively easily.

As a consequence we are continually spreading platinum on the roads, and around roundabouts the levels of platinum are almost as high as in platinum mines.

Maybe at some point in the future mining roundabouts will be a big business.

In many forms of RPGs (specially fantasy), Platinum is the most valuable metal used for coins.

In the case of Dungeons & Dragons, for example, Platinum is followed by Gold, Silver, and Copper in worth. The value of coins under this system follows a decimal scale so that 1 Platinum Piece (abbreviated as "pp") is worth 10 Gold Pieces ("gp"), 100 Silver Pieces ("sp"), and 1000 Copper Pieces ("cp").

It is common, however, for CRPGs (Computer Role-Playing Games) which are based on a system that follows this monetary conversion to use only one metal type for simplicity's sake. For example, Baldur's Gate uses only Gold Pieces while Planescape: Torment uses only Copper Pieces (yet they are both based on AD&D).

Plat"i*num (?), n. [NL., fr. Sp. platina, from plata silver, LL. plata a thin plate of metal. See Plate, and cf. Platina.] Chem.

A metallic element, intermediate in value between silver and gold, occurring native or alloyed with other metals, also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible, and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 194.3. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.

Platinum black Chem., a soft, dull black powder, consisting of finely divided metallic platinum obtained by reduction and precipitation from its solutions. It absorbs oxygen to a high degree, and is employed as an oxidizer. -- Platinum lamp Elec., a kind of incandescent lamp of which the luminous medium is platinum. See under Incandescent. -- Platinum metals Chem., the group of metallic elements which in their chemical and physical properties resemble platinum. These consist of the light platinum group, viz., rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium, whose specific gravities are about 12; and the heavy platinum group, viz., osmium, iridium, and platinum, whose specific gravities are over 21. -- Platinum sponge Chem., metallic platinum in a gray, porous, spongy form, obtained by reducing the double chloride of platinum and ammonium. It absorbs oxygen, hydrogen, and certain other gases, to a high degree, and is employed as an agent in oxidizing.

© Webster 1913.