Vanadium (V)

Transition Metals Block D Group 5 • Period 4

Superhero Identity

A memorable persona to anchor V in your mind.

Density

6.11

Grams per cm³

Melting Point

1910

Celsius (°C)

Atomic Radius

179

Radius (pm)

Everyday Connection

A durable wrench or screwdriver in a toolbox.

Year Discovered

1801

Discovered By

Andrés Manuel del Río

Origin of Name

"The element is named after 'Vanadis', the old Norse name for the Scandinavian goddess Freyja."

Atomic Mass

50.942 u

Standard State

solid

Boiling Point

3407°C

Electron Configuration

[Ar] 3d34s2

1st Ionization Energy

6.746 eV

Electron Affinity

N/A

Oxidation States

[+5 +4 +3 +2]

Appearance

"A hard, silvery-grey, ductile metal."

It was named after Vanadas, the Scandinavian goddess of beauty and fertility, because of the beautiful, vibrant colors of its chemical compounds.

The Model T Ford was famously durable partly because its chassis was made from a strong vanadium steel alloy.

Adding just a small amount of vanadium to steel can dramatically increase its strength, toughness, and heat resistance.

Some sea squirts and mushrooms accumulate very high concentrations of vanadium from their environment.