Strontium
Atomic Number: 38
Strontium is the 38th element in the periodic table and it is part of the alkali earth metals. It is a soft silver-white yellowish metallic element, which is chemically reactive. This element is used often to make fireworks and flares. It reacts, like most other alkaline-earth metals, with air. When exposed to air is burns bright red. Strontium is found in minerals such celestite (SrSO4) and strontianite (SrCO3). China is the leading producer of these minerals, by treating them with hydrochloric acid to get pure strontium. Strontium is the 15th most abundant element in the world. The person that discovered strontium is Adair Crawford, an Irish chemist, in 1790. Sir Humphry Davy was the first to isolate this element. Strontium got its name after a small town in Scotland, Strontian.
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