1. Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; 2. Chemistry Postdoctoral Research Station of Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; 3. The Affiliated Foreign Language School of Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
Abstract Through the research on the discovery of strontium and the development of its concept, it is known that in 1790, the British chemist Adair Crawford studied the ore found in Strontian and believed that it contained a new earth-strontium earth. This was later confirmed by Thomas Charles Hope, a chemistry professor at the University of Edinburgh, in 1793. In 1808, the British chemist Davy successfully extracted a new metal from strontium earth and named it “strontium”. Thus, the macroscopic characterization concept of strontium was formed. Afterwards, the proposal of atomic theory and the determination of the atomic weight of strontium promoted the formation of the microscopic characterization concept of strontium. In the 20th century, the discovery of strontium isotopes led to the formation of the modern concept of strontium. In conclusion, the discovery and development of the concept of strontium is not only the history of the development of element concepts, but also the history of the progress of scientific thought and scientific methods.
HUANG Yun-Qi, ZHANG Qian-Feng, YUAN Zhen-Dong. From Strontium Earth to Strontium Isotopes:Discovery of Strontium and Evolution of Its Concept[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2026, 47(15): 110-116.
