Zicronium has 40 electrons. ITs atomic number (Z) is 40. The electronic configuration of Zicronium is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s2, 3d10, 4p6, 4d2, 5s2.
Who discovered zirconium?
Zirconium was discovered by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. And it was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1824.
What is zirconium?
Zirconium is a chemical element that has an atomic number (Z) 40. Its standard atomic weight is 91.224 and it is represented by the symbol Zr. Its position in the periodic table is in group 4 and period 5. It is a d-block element. Zirconium is a transition metal and closely resembles hafnium and titanium. Its electron configuration is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s2, 3d10, 4p6, 4d2, 5s2. It has 40 electrons, 40 protons and 51 neutrons. Its electronegativity is 1.33 (Pauling scale). While its oxidation state may be −2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4. The 1st ionization energy required is 640.1 kJ/mol. At room temperature, its density is 6.52 g/cm3 and has a silvery-white appearance. Its melting point is 2128 K ?(1855 °C, ?3371 °F) and its boiling point is 4650 K ?(4377 °C, ?7911 °F).
Zirconium has four stable isotopes Zirconium-90 is the most abundant isotope having 51.45% abundance. Zirconium has 28 artificial radioisotopes.
Zirconium was discovered by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. And it was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1824.
Zirconium does not found in native metal form. It has an average concentration of 130 mg/kg within Earth's crust. In seawater, it has less concentration about 0.026 μg/L. It is found in minerals like zircon (ZrSiO4), baddeleyite and kosnarite. And produced as a by-product during Titanium production from Titanium ores like rutile and ilmenite. The main producer of Zirconium is South Africa, Australia, Brazil, India, the United States and Russia.
Zirconium is a very useful metal and has a large number of applications.
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate is used in the treatment of hyperkalemia (elevated level of Potassium).
Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (AZG) is used in deodorant products as an antiperspirant.
It is used in different restorative and prosthetic devices.
Uranium zirconium hydride (UZrH) is used as a nuclear fuel in reactors.
It is used in surgical appliances, light filaments, and watch cases because of its excellent resistance to corrosion.
Zirconium dioxide is used in metallurgical furnaces and laboratory crucibles because of its resistance to chemical attack.
Cubic zirconia and Zircon are used as a gemstone in jewellery.
It is used as a refractory and opacifier.
