Overview
Strontium is a soft, silver yellow alkaline earth metal notable for its red flame coloration and uses in ceramics and pyrotechnics.
Properties
It forms stable +2 cations, has moderate reactivity with water and forms a variety of salts used industrially.
Occurrence and Uses
Strontium compounds are used in fireworks, ferrite magnets, ceramics and certain medical applications such as bone seeking radiopharmaceuticals.
Isotopes and Safety
Stable isotope Sr 88 is common; radioactive Sr 90 is a hazardous fission product requiring strict radiological controls and environmental remediation.