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23V50.942
Transition Metalssolid at STPD-block

Vanadium

Group: 5Period: 4Standard Atomic Weight: 50.942 u

Why is Vanadium in this position?

Understanding the scientific rationale behind Vanadium's position in the periodic table:

Group Assignment
Group 5

Belongs to Group 5 because it has 5 valence electrons (3d³ 4s²).

Period Assignment
Period 4

Belongs to Period 4 because its outermost electrons occupy n=4.

Orbital Block
D-block

Belongs to the d-block because its valence electrons fill the 3d subshell.

Chemical Category
Transition Metals

Classified as a transition metal due to variable oxidation states and colorful coordination complexes.

Atomic Structure & Bohr Shell Model

Shell Distribution: [2, 8, 11, 2]

Bohr Atomic Shell Model(2, 8, 11, 2)

Hover or tap any shell orbit ring to inspect electron counts and 2n² capacities.

23 Protons (p⁺)28 Neutrons (n⁰)
KShell K: Electron 1 of 2Shell K: Electron 2 of 2LShell L: Electron 1 of 8Shell L: Electron 2 of 8Shell L: Electron 3 of 8Shell L: Electron 4 of 8Shell L: Electron 5 of 8Shell L: Electron 6 of 8Shell L: Electron 7 of 8Shell L: Electron 8 of 8MShell M: Electron 1 of 11Shell M: Electron 2 of 11Shell M: Electron 3 of 11Shell M: Electron 4 of 11Shell M: Electron 5 of 11Shell M: Electron 6 of 11Shell M: Electron 7 of 11Shell M: Electron 8 of 11Shell M: Electron 9 of 11Shell M: Electron 10 of 11Shell M: Electron 11 of 11NShell N: Electron 1 of 2Shell N: Electron 2 of 2VZ = 23

Educational Note: This Niels Bohr planetary model visually illustrates principal quantum energy shells ($n=1, 2, 3\dots$) and electron counts. In modern quantum mechanics (Schrödinger model), electrons do not orbit in fixed circular planetary tracks, but exist as 3D probability clouds (orbitals: $s, p, d, f$) governed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Electron Shell Filling Breakdown

Shell K (n=1):2 / 2 electrons (100%)
Shell L (n=2):8 / 8 electrons (100%)
Shell M (n=3):11 / 18 electrons (61%)
Shell N (n=4):2 / 32 electrons (6%)
Aufbau Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d³ 4s²

Neutral ground state configuration. Valence electrons: 5.

Atomic & Quantum Properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)1.63 Pauling
1st Ionization Energy650.9 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity-50.6 kJ/mol
Atomic Radius (empirical)171 pm
Common Oxidation States+5, +4, +3, +2
Crystal StructureBCC

Physical & Thermal Properties

Density at STP6.11 g/cm³
Melting Point1910 °C (2183 K)
Boiling Point3407 °C (3680 K)
Magnetic OrderingParamagnetic
Discovery Year1801
Discovered ByAndrés Manuel del Río

Real-World Uses, Occurrence & Compounds

Major Industrial & Everyday Uses
  • High-strength vanadium-steel alloys for automobile axles, engine crankshafts, and wrench hand tools
  • Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) for large-scale electrical grid energy storage
  • Industrial chemical catalyst in the Contact process for sulfuric acid (V₂O₅)
  • Titanium-aluminium-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) aerospace alloys
Occurrence in Nature

Occurs in minerals vanadinite (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl), patronite, and titaniferous magnetite ores, and crude petroleum.

Etymology & Name Origin

From Vanadís, the Norse goddess of beauty and fertility, due to its brightly colored chemical solutions

Important Chemical Compounds
V₂O₅ (Vanadium pentoxide)
VO₂ (Vanadium dioxide)
VCl₃ (Vanadium trichloride)
VOSO₄ (Vanadyl sulfate)
Interesting Chemical Facts
  • Henry Ford revolutionized automotive manufacturing in 1908 by using lightweight, shock-absorbing vanadium steel in the Model T.
  • Vanadium redox flow batteries use the same element in different oxidation states in both electrolyte tanks, eliminating cross-contamination.
  • Certain sea squirts (tunicates) concentrate vanadium from seawater in their blood cells to levels over 10,000 times ambient seawater.
Safety & Handling Note

Vanadium pentoxide dust is toxic, irritating to respiratory pathways, and a suspected carcinogen upon prolonged inhalation.