| Silvery shiny, soft metal obtained by high temperature reduction of SrO with Al. Protected as bulk metal by oxide film but will burn in air and reacts with water. Used in special glass for TV and VDUs, in fireworks and flares to give red color.
The Sr87 isotope used in Rb-Sr age dating. Diagnostic tests:
Strontium is usually detected by the crimson flame
coloration. If large quantities of calcium are present, than a
spectroscope can be used to distinguish the Sr coloration.
Strontium compounds become alkaline (turns pink litmus
paper blue with a drop of water) after ignition before a blowpipe flame
with the exceptions of phosphates and silicates. Note that Ca and Mg
minerals also give an alkaline reaction.
In solution, the presence of strontium (in the absence of barium) is
proved by the heavy white precipitate formed by the addition of dilute H2SO4.
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