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Origin / Meaning of the name Zirconium
The name Zirconium originates from the Persian word 'zarkun'
meaning
Gold
like.
Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Zirconium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Zirconium
is
classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 -
12 of the Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.Nearly 75%
of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as
metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Facts about the History and Discovery of the Zirconium
Element
Zirconium was discovered by
Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. It was first isolated in 1824 by
Jons Jakob Berzelius by heating a mixture of
Potassium
and
potassium zirconium fluoride.
History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief
History of the
Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous
scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of
the Periodic Table.
Occurrence of the Zirconium Element
Located in USA, Australia,
Brazil, India and Russia
Source of zirconium is the zirconium silicate mineral, zircon and
baddeleyite
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe
5×10-6%
% in Sun 4×10-6%
% in Meteorites 0.00066%
% in Earth's Crust 0.013%
% in Oceans 2.6×10-9%
% in Humans 5×10-6%
Medical Uses of
Zirconium - Health and Treatments
Interesting information on
the Medical Uses of Zirconium, Health and Treatments. A
component of zirconium dioxide was once used in some ointments
for the treatment of poison ivy skin rashes, however these
ointments caused skin granulomas in some individuals A granuloma
is a small area of inflammation due to tissue injury. Similar
skin conditions also developed in individuals using deodorants
containing zirconium sodium lactate. Subsequently the use of
zirconium compounds, except for zirconyl hydroxychloride, has
been discontinued in the manufacture of skin ointments. Zirconyl
hydroxychloride is still used in antiperspirants.
Associated Uses of Zirconium
Vacuum tubes
A natural gemstone used in jewelry - cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconium rings and earrings
Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex
Nuclear energy uses
Military incendiaries
Lamp filaments
Piping
Artificial joints and limbs |
