Wikijunior:The Elements/Strontium

Shows the position of Strontium on the periodic chart
Strontium's symbol on the Periodic Table


General: Strontium is classified as an alkaline earth metal on the periodic table. The periodic table arranges chemical elements in periods (rows) and groups (columns). The element Strontium is in period 5 and group 2. Its atomic number is 38 and its symbol is Sr.

In addition to strontium, there are 5 other alkaline earth metals: calcium, magnesium, beryllium, barium, and radium. These elements share similar properties. They react with other elements to form useful compounds. They are good conductors of electricity.

Strontium

What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?

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Pure strontium itself does not have a distinct smell.  Compounds like strontium oxide might have a slight metallic odor.

How was it discovered?

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In 1790, Adair Crawford in Ireland was studying the mineral witherite. He mixed the witherite with hydrochloric acid. The results were not what he expected. He thought there was contamination from an unknown substance which he called “strontianite”.

In 1793, Martin Klaproth in Germany analyzed the mineral strontanite. He confirmed it was a new, distinct element. In 1808, Sir Humphrey Davy in England successfully isolated strontium metal.

Where did its name come from?

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Strontium is named after the Scottish village of Strontian, where it was discovered in the ores of the lead mines.

Did You Know?

  • Strontium has silvery white color, and it turns into yellow when exposed to air
  • It is softer than calcium and harder than barium.
  • Primary use for strontium was in glass for colour television cathode-ray tubes, where it prevented X-ray emission.

Where is it found?

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Strontium is primarily extracted (separated) from the minerals celestite and strontianite. Significant deposits of these minerals are found in Mexico, Turkey, Spain, and China. In the United States there are celestite and strontianite deposits in California and Texas.

Strontium occurs in seawater and in igneous rocks.

What are its uses?

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Strontium compounds are used in electronics, fireworks, and medicine. Strontium ferrite is used for making small magnets for electric motors. The bright, red color in fireworks and emergency flares comes from strontium compounds. The radioactive isotope Strontium-89 is used to relieve pain caused by bone cancer. Strontium compounds are used in medical imaging.

Strontium can conduct electricity but metals like copper and aluminum are more widely used in industry. Strontium is often used in special alloys for automobile engine blocks and wheels.

Strontium hydroxide is used to extract sugar from sugar beets and remove molasses from raw sugar. Strontium metal is used in the refining of zinc to remove trace levels of lead impurities. Strontium aluminate is commonly used in glow-in-the-dark paints, ceramic glazes, and occasionally in toothpaste.

Is it dangerous?

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Strontium is generally considered safe in its natural, non-radioactive form.  

Non-Radioactive strontium is not harmful in typical dietary amounts. Radioactive strontium is dangerous. Excessive intake of either form of strontium can interfere with calcium levels and bone health, leading to health problems.

References

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Britannica. (n.d.) T. Hanusa. Chemical element strontium. Retrieved from https://Britannica.com/science/Strontium

Chemistry Facts Just for Kids. (n.d.). Strontium. Retrieved from

https://www.factsjustforkids.com/chemistry-facts/strontium-facts-for-kids//

Parsons, P. & Dixon, G. (2014). The periodic table, a visual guide to the elements. Quercus.

Science Notes. (n.d.) Periodic table scavenger hunt worksheet. Retrieved from https://sciencenotes.org

Periodic Videos. (n.d.). Strontium. Periodic Table of Videos. University of Nottingham, UK. YouTube. Retrieved from http://www.periodicvideos.com

Chemical Book. (2019, September 25). Strontium industrial applications and uses. Retrieved from https://www.chemicalbook.com/Article

Science Info. J. Bashyal. (2023, May 7). Strontium (Sr) element: Important properties , uses, reactions. Retrieved from

https://scienceinfo.com/strontium-sr-element-important-properties/