Gallium

Gallium, chemical element, symbol Ga; for physical constants see Periodic Table. Gallium was discovered spectroscopically by P.E. Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1875. The element occurs in the minerals diaspore, sphalerite, germanite, bauxite, and coal. It can be produced by electrolysis of a solution of the hydroxide in KOH. Gallium is a silvery, amphoteric metal that can be liquid near room temperature. It wets glass and has a long liquid range and low vapor pressure even at high temperatures. Gallium and its compounds are used in phosphors, semiconductors, solid-state devices, and low-melting alloys.