Zirconium

Zirconium (Zr)

Atomic Number: 40
Atomic Weight: 91.22
Melting Point: 1852
Boiling Point: 4377
Specific Gravity: 6.506
Valence(s): 2,3,or 4
Impure zirconium was isolated by Berzelius in 1824. Zirconium occurs in S-type stars, in the sun, and in moon rocks. The nuclear industry uses zirconium because it resists the corrosive environments in atomic reactors. It is used to make surgical tools and poison ivy lotions. Zirconium comes from the Arabic word "zargun", describing the gemstone zircon. [LM] {RW}