Symbol

V

Atomic Number

23

Atomic Mass

50.9415

Family

Group 5 (Vb) Transition Metal Pronunciation

vuh-NAY-dee-um

Overview

Vanadium is a transition metal that lies toward the middle of the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to one another. Groups 4 through 12 are the transition metals.

Vanadium was discovered in 1801 by Spanish-Mexican metallurgist Andres Manuel del Rio (1764-1849). The element was re-discovered nearly 30 years later by Swedish chemist Nils Gabriel Sefstrom (1787-1845).

By far the most important application of vanadium today is in making alloys. An alloy is made by melting and mixing two or more metals. The mixture has properties different from those of the individual metals. Vanadium steel, for example, is more resistant to wear than ordinary steel. A potentially important new use of vanadium is in the manufacture of batteries. These batteries show promise for use in electric cars.

Discovery and Naming