Strontium

What is Strontium?

Strontium is a chemical element that belongs to group 2 or the alkaline earth metal group. Its chemical symbol is Sr. It is silvery white, a bit yellowish, and highly reactive to chemicals. When exposed to the air, it forms a dark oxide layer. Its properties and characteristics are quite similar to that of barium and calcium. 

Where is Strontium obtained?

The main source of strontium is the minerals strontianite and celestite. Of all producers of strontium, the number one producer is China. Strontium is commercially produced through the electrolysis of potassium chloride and molten strontium chloride. It is also produced by reducing it in a vacuum with aluminum. 

History of Strontium

An unusual rock was found in a mining spot at Strontian, Scotland in 1787. It was investigated by Adair Crawford, who is a doctor in Edinburgh. After a thorough analysis, he concluded that it was a new mineral and named it strontia. Four years later, Thomas Charles Hope, also from Edinburgh, conducted a full investigation and proved that it was indeed a new element. 

His analysis revealed that it causes the candle flame to burn red. Another man, Martin Heinrich Klaproth in Germany worked with the same mineral and was able to successfully produce strontium compounds, specifically strontium hydroxide and strontium oxide.

In 1808, strontium metal was successfully isolated by Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution using the process of electrolysis. 

Classification, Properties, and Characteristics of Strontium

Strontium is characterized as soft metal. If you cut it into pieces, it has a silvery luster. When exposed to air, it becomes yellowish. If you store it, you need to make sure it is protected from oxygen to prevent discoloration. One thing about strontium is that it does not exist freely in nature. It is softer than calcium and when exposed to water, decomposes vigorously. It is stored under kerosene to prevent oxidation and ignition.

Lewis Dot Structure of Strontium

Bohr’s Atomic Model of Strontium

Atomic Data of Strontium

Physical Properties of Strontium

Color	Silvery Metal
Odor	Odorless
Taste	Tasteless
Atomic Mass	87.62
Weight	87.62 g.mol -1
Density	2.64
Atomic Radius	2.49 Å
Ionization Energy	549.47 kJ mol−1
Covalent Radius	1.90 Å
Ionic Radius	0.113 nm (+2)
Electronic Gain Enthalpy	4.631 kJ mol−1
Electron Negativity	0.95
Electron Affinity	4.631 kJ mol−1
Melting Point	777°C, 1431°F, 1050 K
Boiling Point	1377°C, 2511°F, 1650 K

Chemical Properties of Strontium

Atomic Number	38
Group	2
Period	5
Block	s
Electronic Configuration	[Kr] 5s2
Combustion	Non-flammable
Chemical Reactivity	Highly Reactive
Valency of Element	2

Different States of Strontium

Strontium is an alkali earth metal, which is solid at room temperature. It does melt once the desired temperature is reached. 

Uses of Strontium

• It is used in fireworks and flares because it produces a brilliant red color.
• It is one of the substances used in refining zinc.
• Strontium is used to produce ferrite magnets.
• A strontium compound, strontium aluminate, is added to plastics and glow-in-the-dark paints.
• A radioactive isotope, strontium-90, is a byproduct of nuclear reactors. Bone marrow tissues absorb it, which will eventually destroy bone marrow leading to cancer.
• It is used to power electricity for space vehicles, navigate buoys, and remote weather stations.
• It is used for thickness gauges and to get rid of static charges from machinery that handles plastic and paper.
• A strontium compound, strontium chloride hexahydrate is one of the ingredients of toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Strontium is used in colored televisions (cathode ray tubes).
• Strontium atoms were used to create the most accurate atomic clock in the world.
• A strontium compound, strontium oxide is used to make high-quality pottery glazes.
• Isotope 90Sr is known for being a high-energy beta emitter used widely in cancer therapy.
• Strontium ranelate is used to treat various conditions such as in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis. It is widely used in Canada, Australia, the United States, and Europe.
• In orthopedic surgery, specifically in fixing artificial prostheses, injectable acrylic bone cement is used.
• Conventional polymethylmethacrylate bone cement is used in hip, knee, and knee arthroplasties, and for the fixation of polymer and metallic prosthetic implants to living bone. Although there are some risks and issues, it will depend on the discretion of the healthcare provider.

Price of Strontium

The cost of strontium is dependent on supply and demand. The average cost of pure strontium is $100 per 100 grams. The price is cheaper when buying in bulk. 

Interesting facts about Strontium

•  Strontium ranked 15 in the list of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust.
• Don’t you know that strontium is reactive with water and produce a highly irritating compound? It produces strontium hydroxide which is extremely irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
• Don’t you know that strontium is softer than calcium?
• Strontium exists in nature only when combined to form minerals.
• Strontium 90’s half-life is less than 30 years.
• Don’t you know that strontium was used to produce sugar from sugar beet plants?
• About 150,000 tons of strontium were used every year leading up to World War I.
• The top producer of strontium is China and followed by Mexico and Spain.
• Every year, the global production of strontium is around 300,000.
• Strontium used in making sugar is recyclable.
• The majority of produced strontium is used to produce television cathode tubes so as to prevent x-ray emission.
• Strontium is not really an essential element because it has no known biological role, but ironically it is prevented in small amounts in all living organisms. Its properties are similar to that of calcium. We know that calcium is good for the bones and so strontium’s biological effect is somewhat similar to that of calcium.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/38/strontium
2. https://www.livescience.com/34522-strontium.html
3. https://www.britannica.com/science/strontium
4. https://study.com/learn/lesson/stronium-facts-uses-properties-element.html
5. https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sr.htm
6. https://www.chemicool.com/elements/strontium.html
7. https://www.factsjustforkids.com/chemistry-facts/strontium-facts-for-kids/
8. https://www.thoughtco.com/strontium-facts-606598
9. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Strontium
10. https://byjus.com/chemistry/strontium/