Vanadium (V)
Transition metal · d-block · period 4 · group 5
Hard, silvery-grey metal with a bluish tint.
Vanadium (symbol V) is chemical element number 23, a transition metal in group 5, period 4 of the periodic table. Its standard atomic weight is 50.942 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d3 4s2. At room temperature it is a solid. Named after Vanadis, the Norse goddess of beauty, for its many colourful compounds.
Properties
| Atomic number | 23 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 50.942 |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Block | d-block |
| Group · Period | 5 · 4 |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d3 4s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 11, 2 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 2183 K |
| Boiling point | 3680 K |
| Density | 6.11 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.63 |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | primordial |
| Discovered | 1801 · Andrés Manuel del Río |
Key facts about Vanadium
- Named after Vanadis, the Norse goddess of beauty, for its many colourful compounds.
- A tiny amount of vanadium makes steel much harder and tougher — as in spanner and spring steel.
- Vanadium pentoxide is the catalyst in the Contact process for sulfuric acid.
- Vanadium redox batteries can store grid-scale renewable energy.
What Vanadium is used for
High-strength steel alloys, sulfuric acid catalyst, flow batteries, aerospace titanium alloys.
Where it sits in the periodic table
Vanadium is in group 5, period 4, of the d-block. Its electron configuration [Ar] 3d3 4s2 means its outermost shell holds 2 electrons, which is what places it here and explains much of its chemistry. See Vanadium on the interactive table →
Vanadium — frequently asked questions
What is Vanadium used for?
High-strength steel alloys, sulfuric acid catalyst, flow batteries, aerospace titanium alloys.
Is Vanadium radioactive?
No. Vanadium has at least one stable isotope and is not radioactive.
What is the electron configuration of Vanadium?
Vanadium has the electron configuration [Ar] 3d3 4s2, which is 2, 8, 11, 2 electrons per shell.
What group and period is Vanadium in?
Vanadium is in group 5, period 4, in the d-block. Its outer shell holds 2 electrons.
Who discovered Vanadium?
Vanadium was discovered in 1801 by Andrés Manuel del Río.