Vanadinite
The ore of Vanadium
Where is it mined and how is it dug up?
Vanadinite, the ore of vanadium was discovered in Mexico in 1801 but is also found in South America, Europe, Africa and various parts of North America. It is dug up from the ground in the same way as uranium - mined!
How is the Vanadium extracted from the Vanadinite?
The most common way for the Vanadium to be extracted is to heat the Vanadinite with Sodium Chloride (aka salt) at a temperature of about 850 degrees centigrade producing Sodium Vanadate (NaVO3) which dissolves in water. The soluble Sodium Vanadate is then given Ammonium Chloride to give it an orange coloured form of Ammonium Metavanadate. This is then melted to form a basic form of Vanadium Pentoxide then with Calcium it gives pure Vanadium.
Vanadium, What is it?
Glossary!
Isotope: A variation of the element - could be radioactive!
Radioactive: Something which produces radiation which can be bad for your health. Did you know that a banana is the most radioactive fruit?
Alloy: A mixture of metals
Extracted: How the metal is taken out of the rock
Vanadinite: The rock which contains Vanadium - the ore!
Ore: A rock which contains a metal which is worth extracting
Uranium: Another element in the periodic table which is used in nuclear reactors