Identify the next to last chemical element alphabetically, and discuss its properties, uses, and occ...

Properties of Zirconium:

1. Physical Properties:

- Zirconium is a lustrous, grey-white, strong transition metal that resembles hafnium and, to a lesser extent, titanium.

- It is relatively ductile and malleable.

- It has a high melting point of approximately \(1855^\circ C\) or \(3371^\circ F\).

- Its density is \(6.52 \text{ g/cm}^3\) at room temperature.

2. Chemical Properties:

- Zirconium is highly resistant to corrosion by acids, alkalis, salt water, and other agents.

- It forms a protective oxide film in air, which makes it inert to further corrosion.

- It can react with nonmetals like oxygen and nitrogen at high temperatures.

3. Isotopes:

- Naturally occurring zirconium is composed of five isotopes. \(^{90}Zr\) is the most abundant isotope, comprising about 51.45% of natural zirconium.

Uses of Zirconium:

1. Nuclear Industry:

- Zirconium's low absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons makes it an excellent material for use in nuclear reactors, particularly in the cladding of fuel rods.

2. Ceramics:

- Zirconium dioxide (\(ZrO_2\)), also known as zirconia, is used to make high-performance ceramics known as advanced ceramics, which are used in a variety of applications, including dental implants and wear-resistant coatings.

3. Alloys:

- Zirconium is used to make alloys with improved properties. For example, zircaloy is an alloy of zirconium and is used in nuclear applications for its low neutron-capture cross-section and high-temperature resistance.

4. Aerospace and Industry:

- Due to its resistance to heat and corrosion, zirconium is used in space vehicles where such properties are required.

5. Consumer Products:

- Zirconium compounds are used in a variety of consumer products, such as antiperspirants, due to their ability to form stable complexes.

Occurrence in Nature:

- Zirconium does not occur in nature as a free metal, but it is found in various mineral forms, the most common being zircon (\(ZrSiO_4\)). Zircon is a primary source of zirconium and hafnium, as they are chemically similar and often found together in minerals.

- The extraction of zirconium typically involves mining the zircon-bearing sand, separating the zircon crystals, and then using a process such as the Kroll process to reduce zirconium tetrachloride (\(ZrCl_4\)) with magnesium to produce metallic zirconium.

In summary, zirconium is a transition metal known for its high melting point, corrosion resistance, and use in the nuclear industry. It is found in nature primarily as the mineral zircon and has a variety of applications in ceramics, alloys, aerospace, and consumer products.