Wikijunior:The Elements/Strontium
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.
What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?
editPure strontium itself does not have a distinct smell. Compounds like strontium oxide might have a slight metallic odor.
How was it discovered?
editIn 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?
editStrontium 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?
editStrontium 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?
editStrontium 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?
editStrontium 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
editBritannica. (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/