Titanium: Element Overview

Basic Information

• Symbol: Ti
• Atomic Number: 22
• Atomic Weight: 47.867 u
• Element Category: Transition metal
• Group: 4
• Period: 4

Physical Properties

• Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
• Melting Point: 1668 °C (3034 °F)
• Boiling Point: 3287 °C (5949 °F)
• Density: 4.506 g/cm³ at 20 °C
• Color: Silvery-gray
• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) at room temperature, body-centered cubic (bcc) at high temperatures

Chemical Properties

• Electronegativity: 1.54 (Pauling scale)
• Ionization Energies:
  • First: 658.8 kJ/mol
  • Second: 1309.8 kJ/mol
  • Third: 2652.5 kJ/mol
• Reactivity: Resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine; forms a protective oxide layer.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Titanium has five stable isotopes: Ti-46, Ti-47, Ti-48, Ti-49, and Ti-50.
  • Ti-48: 73.72%
  • Ti-46: 8.25%
  • Ti-47: 7.44%
  • Ti-49: 5.41%
  • Ti-50: 5.18%

Occurrence and Production

• Natural Abundance: Titanium is the 9th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
• Sources: Found in minerals such as ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂).
• Production: Primarily produced by the Kroll process, which reduces titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) with magnesium.

Uses and Applications

• Aerospace: Used in aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion.
• Medical: Used in medical implants, prosthetics, and surgical instruments because it is biocompatible.
• Industrial: Used in the production of strong, lightweight alloys and as a pigment in paints, plastics, and paper (as titanium dioxide).
• Consumer Goods: Used in high-end sports equipment, jewelry, and eyeglass frames due to its durability and light weight.
• Chemical Industry: Used as a catalyst and in the manufacture of chlorine and other chemicals.

Safety and Precautions

• Reactivity: Titanium is non-reactive under most conditions but can burn in the presence of nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures.
• Handling: Generally safe to handle in solid form; fine titanium powder can be a fire hazard.
• Health: Titanium is biocompatible and generally considered non-toxic.

Biological Role

• Non-essential Element: Titanium has no known biological role and is not essential for life.

Historical Background

• Discovery: Discovered in 1791 by William Gregor in England and named by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1795.
• Naming: Named after the Titans of Greek mythology.

Interesting Facts

• High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Titanium’s strength is comparable to steel, but it is 45% lighter.
• Oxide Layer: Forms a protective oxide layer that makes it highly resistant to corrosion.
• Titanium Dioxide: Widely used as a white pigment in paints, sunscreens, and food coloring.

Summary

Titanium is a versatile transition metal known for its high strength, low density, and excellent corrosion resistance. It is used extensively in aerospace, medical, industrial, and consumer applications. Discovered in the late 18th century, titanium is produced mainly through the Kroll process and is valued for its biocompatibility and durability. While it has no biological role, titanium’s unique properties make it a crucial material in many modern technologies.

Questions and Answers about Titanium:

1. Q: What is the chemical symbol for Titanium?

   • A: Ti

2. Q: What is the atomic number of Titanium?

   • A: 22

3. Q: What type of element is Titanium?

   • A: Transition metal

4. Q: What is the atomic weight of Titanium?

   • A: 47.867 u

5. Q: What group is Titanium in?

   • A: Group 4

6. Q: What period is Titanium in?

   • A: Period 4

7. Q: What is the phase of Titanium at room temperature?

   • A: Solid

8. Q: What is the melting point of Titanium?

   • A: 1668 °C (3034 °F)

9. Q: What is the boiling point of Titanium?

   • A: 3287 °C (5949 °F)

10. Q: What is the density of Titanium at 20 °C?

    • A: 4.506 g/cm³

11. Q: What is the color of Titanium metal?

    • A: Silvery-gray

12. Q: What is the crystal structure of Titanium?

    • A: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) at room temperature, body-centered cubic (bcc) at high temperatures

13. Q: What is the electronegativity of Titanium?

    • A: 1.54 (Pauling scale)

14. Q: What is the first ionization energy of Titanium?

    • A: 658.8 kJ/mol

15. Q: How many stable isotopes does Titanium have?

    • A: Five (Ti-46, Ti-47, Ti-48, Ti-49, Ti-50)

16. Q: What is the most abundant isotope of Titanium?

    • A: Ti-48

17. Q: How is Titanium commercially produced?

    • A: By the Kroll process, reducing titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) with magnesium

18. Q: What is the natural abundance of Titanium in the Earth’s crust?

    • A: 9th most abundant element

19. Q: What common minerals contain Titanium?

    • A: Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂)

20. Q: What industry uses Titanium extensively for aircraft production?

    • A: Aerospace industry

21. Q: What is one use of Titanium in the medical field?

    • A: Used in medical implants and prosthetics

22. Q: What role does Titanium play in the production of paints?

    • A: Used as a white pigment (titanium dioxide)

23. Q: Why is Titanium used in sports equipment?

    • A: For its high strength and low weight

24. Q: What is the biological role of Titanium in the body?

    • A: Titanium has no known biological role

25. Q: Who discovered Titanium?

    • A: William Gregor

26. Q: In what year was Titanium discovered?

    • A: 1791

27. Q: What is the origin of the name “Titanium”?

    • A: Named after the Titans of Greek mythology

28. Q: What property makes Titanium resistant to corrosion?

    • A: Forms a protective oxide layer

29. Q: What health hazard is associated with Titanium metal?

    • A: Generally considered non-toxic and biocompatible

30. Q: How should Titanium metal be handled in powder form?

    • A: With care, as it can be a fire hazard

31. Q: What is the second ionization energy of Titanium?

    • A: 1309.8 kJ/mol

32. Q: What is the third ionization energy of Titanium?

    • A: 2652.5 kJ/mol

33. Q: Is Titanium essential for plant health?

    • A: No, it is not essential for plant growth

34. Q: What is the significance of Titanium in the chemical industry?

    • A: Used as a catalyst and in the manufacture of chemicals

35. Q: What is the role of Titanium in high-performance materials?

    • A: Provides high strength and corrosion resistance

36. Q: How does Titanium benefit the aerospace industry?

    • A: Used in high-performance materials for aircraft and spacecraft

37. Q: What is Titanium’s role in improving medical implants?

    • A: Its biocompatibility makes it ideal for implants and prosthetics

38. Q: What is the use of Titanium in consumer goods?

    • A: Used in jewelry, eyeglass frames, and high-end sports equipment

39. Q: How does Titanium contribute to the production of semiconductors?

    • A: Used for its favorable electronic properties

40. Q: What color does Titanium dioxide impart to a product?

    • A: White