Some of the elements that make our phones and tablets work are running out!
Lots of important elements are due to run out in 100 years which could mean that we can’t make anymore phones.
Listen to the episode above to hear all about Gallium, what it is and what important job it does in your phone.
What is Gallium?
It’s an element that has loads of useful properties and it’s an important component in your mobile phone!
It was first found in 1875 and has the chemical symbol Ga on the periodic table.
What can Gallium do?
Gallium is a metal and it’s really special because it it melts at 29.76°C (thats the same temperature as a really hot day in the summer) and boils at over 2000°C which is about 7 times hotter than your oven!
This is great because Gallium will stay liquid for a huge temperature range which is really useful for some jobs.
Your body temperature is around 37°C so if you hold a chunk of gallium it will melt in your hand!
Gallium is also a really great conductor of electricity and can make LED lights.
Why is it in danger?
Because it’s hard to extract from other elements and minerals.
You need to mine thousands of tonnes of rock just to get a little bit of Gallium.
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