Vanadium (V)

Vanadium (V)

Atomic Number: 23
Atomic Weight: 50.94
Melting Point: 1890
Boiling Point: 3380
Specific Gravity: 6.11
Valence(s): 2, 3, 4 or 5

Vanadium was discovered by del Rio in 1801 but was dismissed as impure Chromium. Sefstrom rediscovered it in 1830. Vanadium is important in the nuclear industry and in forming steels for high-speed tools. Mineral sources include vanadinite and patronite. Vanadium and its compounds are toxic. It is named after Vanadis, the Scandinavian goddess. [LM] {RW}