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What the name means: The word rubidium is derived from the Latin word rubidis, meaning deep red.

Who identified rubidium? Rubidium was first identified in 1861 by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff working in Germany. The two chemists were studying a mineral, from Saxony, called lepidolite. They used a spectroscope and discovered some new spectral emission lines that were deep red. The new element was named rubidium on account of its emission spectrum.

About rubidium: Rubidium is a Group 1 element. It is never found as a free element since it is far too reactive. Rubidium can be extracted from its compounds as a soft metal that will react spontaneously with oxygen in the air. It reacts violently with water, producing hydrogen gas as one of the products of the reaction.