Zirconium (Zr)
"The Nuclear Knight, a hero who can contain the immense power of a nuclear reactor."
A memorable persona to anchor Zr in your mind.
6.52
Grams per cm³
1854
Celsius (°C)
186
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Zirconium is found in the heat-resistant ceramic of a very sharp kitchen knife.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1789
Discovered By
Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Arabic, ''zargun'', meaning gold coloured."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
91.224 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
4406°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d25s2
1st Ionization Energy
6.634 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Zirconium is a lustrous, grayish-white, strong metal."
Did You Know?
Its exceptional resistance to corrosion and heat, and its inability to absorb neutrons, makes it the primary material used to encase fuel rods in nuclear power plants.
The gemstone zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral; however, it should not be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a synthetic, crystalline form of zirconium dioxide.
Ceramics made from zirconium dioxide are so tough and sharp they are used to make high-performance knives and scissors.
When powdered, zirconium can spontaneously ignite in air, making it an ingredient in some pyrotechnic devices.