Zr
Zirconium is a corrosion-resistant metal used in nuclear reactors and as a diamond substitute.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 91.224 u |
| Density | 6.506 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 2128.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 4682.0 K |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 1.33 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 640.1 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 41.1 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2, +3, +4 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Kr] 4d2 5s2 |
| Atomic Radius | 160.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 175.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 186.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Martin Heinrich Klaproth |
| Discovery Year | 1789 |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Named After | Arabic 'zargun' meaning gold-colored, from the mineral zircon |
About Zirconium
Zirconium is a lustrous, gray-white, strong transition metal similar to hafnium. It is transparent to neutrons, making it ideal for nuclear fuel rod cladding. Cubic zirconia is a popular diamond simulant.
Uses & Applications
Nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding, cubic zirconia jewelry, ceramic knives, and dental crowns.
Fun Fact
Cubic zirconia is so convincing as a diamond substitute that gemological instruments are often needed to tell them apart.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 90 | 0.5145% | - | Yes |
| 91 | 0.1122% | - | Yes |
| 92 | 0.1715% | - | Yes |
| 94 | 0.1738% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d2 5s2