Strontium
| Atomic Number: | 38 |
| Symbol: | Sr |
| Atomic weight: | 87.62 |
| Discovery: | Davey isolated strontium by electrolysis in 1808 |
| Electron Configuration: | [Kr]5s2 |
| Word Origin: | Strontian, a town in Scotland |
| Isotopes: | There are 20 known isotopes of strontium, 4 stable and 16 unstable. Natural strontium is a mixture of the 4 stable isotopes. |
| Properties: | Strontium is softer than calcium and decomposes more vigorously in water. Finely divided strontium metal ignites spontaneously in air. Strontium is a silvery metal, but it rapidly oxidizes to a yellowish color. Because of its propensity for oxidation and ignition, strontium is typically stored under kerosene. Strontium salts color flames crimson and are used in fireworks and flares. |
| Uses: | Strontium-90 is used in Systems for Nuclear Auxilliary Power (SNAP) devices. Strontium is used in producing glass for color television picture tubes. It is also used to produce ferrite magnets and to refine zinc. Strontium titanate is very soft but has an extremely high refractive index and an optical dispersion greater than that of diamond. |
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