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By Brijesh Sharma
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Updated on 22 Apr 2025, 13:22 IST
Vanadium is a shiny, steel-blue metal that is strong, flexible, and useful in many ways. It is a chemical element shown by the symbol V on the periodic table and has the atomic number 23. You may not hear about vanadium as often as iron or copper, but it plays a very important role in making strong steel, long-lasting batteries, and even aircraft parts.
Vanadium is known for forming colorful compounds and for being very stable at room temperature. It is used in vanadium steel, which is stronger and more durable than normal steel. It is also used in special batteries called vanadium redox flow batteries, which help store energy from sources like solar panels and wind turbines.
Even though it is found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust, vanadium is used in many industries around the world. You can find it in certain rocks, minerals, and even in small amounts in living organisms. Because of its special features, vanadium uses are growing every year, especially in clean energy and modern technology. In this article, we will explore what vanadium is, where vanadium is found, its atomic mass, electron configuration, uses.
Vanadium is a chemical element known for its strength, versatility, and colorful compounds. It is represented by the symbol V on the periodic table and has an atomic number of 23. It is a transition metal that appears shiny, metallic, and steel-blue. Vanadium is used in many industries, especially in making strong metals and batteries.
| Property | Details |
| Vanadium Symbol | V |
| Vanadium Atomic Number | 23 |
| Vanadium Atomic Mass | 50.94 u |
| Vanadium Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d³ 4s² |
Vanadium’s atomic mass is 50.94 unified atomic mass units (u), and its electron configuration shows that it has five electrons in its outermost shells, which makes it very flexible in chemical reactions.
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Vanadium is not very common but can be found scattered in the Earth's crust. It often occurs in minerals like magnetite, vanadinite, and carnotite. Some of the major producers of vanadium today are countries like China, Russia, and South Africa.
Interestingly, vanadium is even found in tiny amounts in certain sea creatures like sea squirts, and in some types of crude oil and sandstone deposits.
| Source | Details |
| Earth's crust | 0.019% (about 135 ppm) |
| Major producers | China, Russia, South Africa |
| Found in organisms | Small amounts in marine animals |
| Property/Use | Details |
| Symbol | V |
| Atomic Number | 23 |
| Atomic Mass | 50.94 u |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d³ 4s² |
| Main Uses | Steel alloys, batteries, catalysts, supplements |
| Common Compounds | V₂O₅, VO₂, VCl₃ |
| Found in | Magnetite, Vanadinite, Sea Creatures |
| Health Effects | Beneficial in small amounts, toxic at high levels |
Vanadium has a wide range of uses across industries because of its strength, resistance to corrosion, and ability to form colorful compounds.
One of the main uses of vanadium is to produce vanadium steel. When mixed with steel, vanadium makes the metal much stronger, lighter, and resistant to wear. This makes it perfect for making:
Steel mixed with vanadium is widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries where strength and lightweight properties are essential.
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Another major use of vanadium today is in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). These batteries are great for storing renewable energy from solar and wind because they last longer and can handle many charge-discharge cycles without wearing out.
Vanadium is sometimes used as a dietary supplement because it might help with blood sugar control. However, too much vanadium can be harmful. Supplements usually contain very tiny amounts, and more research is needed to understand the full benefits and risks.
Vanadium belongs to the d-block elements on the periodic table and is part of the transition metals group. Here's a quick table:
| Aspect | Details |
| Group | 5 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block (Transition metals) |
| Category | Metal |
Vanadium is located next to Titanium (Ti) and Chromium (Cr) on the periodic table.
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Vanadium can form several important chemical compounds. Here are a few:
| Compound Name | Formula | Use/Property |
| Vanadium(V) oxide | V₂O₅ | Used in making sulfuric acid and as a catalyst |
| Vanadium(IV) oxide | VO₂ | Catalyst and smart windows |
| Vanadium chloride | VCl₃, VCl₅ | Used in chemical reactions |
The general vanadium formula when talking about elemental vanadium is simply V.
| Property/Use | Details |
| Symbol | V |
| Atomic Number | 23 |
| Atomic Mass | 50.94 u |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d³ 4s² |
| Main Uses | Steel alloys, batteries, catalysts, supplements |
| Common Compounds | V₂O₅, VO₂, VCl₃ |
| Found in | Magnetite, Vanadinite, Sea Creatures |
| Health Effects | Beneficial in small amounts, toxic at high levels |
Vanadium may not be the most famous metal, but its importance in building stronger materials, supporting renewable energy, and even helping biological functions makes it a real hidden gem in the world of science. Whether you see it in strong vanadium steel parts, high-tech batteries.
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Vanadium is mainly used to strengthen steel and create lightweight, durable alloys. It is also used in batteries (especially vanadium redox flow batteries), aerospace parts, tools, and even some health supplements.
The symbol for vanadium is V, and its atomic number is 23 on the periodic table.
Vanadium is found in minerals like magnetite, vanadinite, and carnotite. It is also present in small amounts in some sea creatures, crude oil, and certain types of rocks.
Vanadium steel is a type of steel that has small amounts of vanadium added to it. This makes the steel stronger, lighter, more resistant to wear, and ideal for cars, tools, aircraft, and military equipment.
Yes! Vanadium is used in vanadium redox flow batteries, which are excellent for storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind power. These batteries are long-lasting and ideal for large-scale energy storage.
Vanadium supplements are generally safe in very small amounts and are sometimes used to help with blood sugar control. However, high doses can be toxic, so they should only be taken under medical guidance.