Is osmium a metal?

Osmium is a metal and it does not react very much, and such a metal is known as a "noble metal". Osmium is the densest (heaviest for the same amount) element on the periodic table. It was discovered in 1804 by Smithson Tennant in London, England.

What is osmiridium used for?

Osmiridium is a popular name for a naturally occurring alloy of the metals iridium and osmium. Corrosion-resistant, it is used in the manufacture of a variety of articles from pen nibs to munitions. First recognised in the 1880s as an undesirable impurity associated with alluvial gold in western Tasmania, it was discarded by the miners.

What does Os mean in chemistry?

While an increase in OS indicates the increasing strength of an acid, it also means a decrease in the strength of a base. 4. What is the OS for Nitrogen? As nitrogen is a Group 5 element, the oxidation state for nitrogen can range anywhere between -3 and +5 based on the compound it has reacted to form.