- A metallic element of the calcium group, always
naturally occurring combined, as in the minerals strontianite,
celestite, etc. It is isolated as a yellowish metal, somewhat malleable
but harder than calcium. It is chiefly employed (as in the nitrate) to
color pyrotechnic flames red. Symbol Sr. Atomic weight 87.3. - A radioactive isotope of strontium produced by certain
nuclear reactions, and constituting one of the prominent harmful
components of radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions; also called
radiostrontium. It has a half-life of 28 years.
Definition
[ n.]