Quick answerStrontium (Sr) is an alkaline earth metal with atomic number 38 and an atomic mass of 87.62 (2023), in group 2, period 5. It was discovered by Adair Crawford in 1790. It is used for fireworks and ferrite magnets. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 5s2.
Strontium paints fireworks crimson red, and its compounds once lit television screens and now date ancient rocks.
Key facts
| Symbol | Sr |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 38 |
| Atomic mass | 87.62 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | alkaline earth metal |
| Group | 2 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | s-block |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 5s2 |
| Discovered | Adair Crawford, 1790 |
| Uses | fireworks, ferrite magnets, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, glass for TV screens, pyrotechnics |
Quick quiz
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Beryllium (Be) — another alkaline earth metal, atomic number 4
- Magnesium (Mg) — another alkaline earth metal, atomic number 12
- Calcium (Ca) — another alkaline earth metal, atomic number 20
- Barium (Ba) — another alkaline earth metal, atomic number 56
- Radium (Ra) — another alkaline earth metal, atomic number 88
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.