Zirconium
Using the chemical symbol Zr, Zirconium is the 40th element. It is found in the second position of the second row of transition metals, below Titanium and above Hafnium. The reason scientists are interested in what lies above and below an element is because those elements that are above and below, although they have less or more electron shells, they all have the same number of electrons in their outer shells and it is this electron arrangement that contributes to the chemical behaviour. Hence elements in the same column have similar chemistry.It is not surprising therefore that Zirconium is a gray-white metal that looks like Titanium.
Interesting things about Zirconium are:
It is not found in its elemental state in nature - this means that you don't find lumps of Zirconium metal in the ground.
If you grind it up to make a powder and heat it up, it will burn spontaneously.
Though it has no known biological role, it is not thought to be poison.
It is found in some stars, lunar rock and some terrestrial rocks.
Some Zirconium containing minerals are used in jewellery.
Like titanium, Zirconium is sometimes used by doctors to replace worn out joints.
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