Harmful effects:
Rubidium is not known to be toxic.Characteristics
Rubidium is a soft, silvery-white metallic element. It is solid at room temperature but melts easily, at 39.3oC.
Like the other group 1 metals, rubidium reacts violently with water, forming corrosive rubidium hydroxide (RbOH) and hydrogen gas, which is ignited by the heat of the reaction.
Rubidium can also ignite spontaneously in air. It forms alloys with cesium, gold, sodium, and potassium and it forms amalgams with mercury.
Rubidium burns with a reddish-violet flame color.
Uses of Rubidium
Rubidium is used in photocells, as a getter (remover of trace gases) in vacuum tubes and as working fluid in vapor turbines.
Rubidium-87 is slightly radioactive and has been used extensively in dating rocks.
Rubidium compounds give a purple color in fireworks.
Rubidium salts are used in glasses and ceramics.