rhenium

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rhenium (symbol Re) Silver-white metallic element, one of the transition elements, which have incomplete inner electron shells. Discovered in 1925, rhenium is found in molybdenite and platinum ores from which it is obtained as a by-product. It is heavy and used in alloys in thermocouples, camera flashlights and electronic filaments, and is also a useful catalyst. Properties: at.no. 75; r.a.m. 186.2; r.d. 21.0; m.p. 3180°C (5756°F); b.p. 5627°C (10,160°F); most common isotope Re187 (62.93%).

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