Cesium, an Alkali Metal
  1. Cesium is element 55, heaviest (stable) alkali.

  2. Well studied experimentally and theoretically.

  3. Only one isotope (133Cs) occurs naturally.

  4. Discovered spectroscopically in 1860 by Kirchhoff and Bunsen with his burner.
  5. 300,000 tons of 20% ore in Manitoba.

  6. Liquid near room temperature, high vapor pres.

  7. Most electropositive, forms strongest base known.

  8. Large nuclear spin: 7/2 (µoctopole measured).
  9. PNC: study of the weak force in atomic systems.

  10.   Pale gold (not silvery white) in color.

  11.   Large separation among fine and hyperfine states.

  12.   Ground state hyperfine transition is definition of second: 9 192 631 770Hz.

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