Quick answerGallium (Ga) is a post-transition metal with atomic number 31 and an atomic mass of 69.723 (2023), in group 13, period 4. It was discovered by Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1875. It is used for LEDs and lasers and semiconductors. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1.
Gallium melts in your hand, yet its compounds run the LEDs, lasers, and phone chargers of the modern world.
Key facts
| Symbol | Ga |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 31 |
| Atomic mass | 69.723 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | post-transition metal |
| Group | 13 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1 |
| Discovered | Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, 1875 |
| Uses | LEDs and lasers, semiconductors, solar panels, smartphone chargers, thermometers |
Quick quiz
Three questions from the facts on this page. No sign-up, no score is saved.
Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Aluminium (Al) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 13
- Indium (In) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 49
- Tin (Sn) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 50
- Thallium (Tl) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 81
- Lead (Pb) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 82
- Bismuth (Bi) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 83
- Polonium (Po) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 84
- Nihonium (Nh) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 113
- Flerovium (Fl) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 114
- Moscovium (Mc) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 115
- All post-transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.