Strontium

Strontium is a chemical element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38. An alkaline earth metal, strontium is a soft silver-white yellowish metallic element that is highly chemically reactive. The metal forms a dark oxide layer when it is exposed to air.

Characteristics

Strontium has physical and chemical properties similar to those of its two vertical neighbors in the periodic table, calcium and barium. It occurs naturally mainly in the minerals celestine and strontianite, and is mostly mined from these.

Applications

Strontium is used in glass for color television cathode ray tubes. It is also used to produce ferrite magnets and in refining zinc. Strontium titanate has an extremely high refractive index and an optical dispersion greater than that of diamond, making it useful in a variety of optics applications.

Health effects

Strontium has been found to have a significant effect on the body, particularly the skeletal system. It is absorbed by the body in a manner similar to calcium, and can replace calcium to some extent in various biochemical processes.

See also

• Strontium-90
• Isotopes of strontium
• Strontianite
• Celestine (mineral)

References

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External links

• WebElements.com – Strontium

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