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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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O
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Osmium
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1992-09-01
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A bluish-white, hard, crystalline metallic
element, very heavy and infusible, symbol Os,
atomic number 76, relative atomic mass 190.2.
It is used for lamp filaments, with iridium
to form a very hard alloy suitable for
pen-nibs and fine machine bearings, and as a
catalyst. It is found in platinum-bearing
river sands, and with iridium in osmiridium.
Heated in air, it gives off a pungently
irritating poisonous vapour. It was
discovered in 1803 by British chemist
Smithson Tennant (1761-1815).