Thorium-Discovery, Properties, And Applications

Thorium is a radioactive metal element with the atomic number 90 and symbol Th in the periodic table. It is a naturally occurring, slightly radioactive element that is four times more abundant than uranium. Thorium is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder.

Property	Value
Name	Thorium
Symbol	Th
Atomic number	90
Relative atomic mass (Ar)	Period in the periodic table
Standard state	Solid at 298 K
Appearance	Silvery white
Classification	Metallic
Group in periodic table
Group name	Actinoid
Block in the periodic table	7 (actinoid)
Group in the periodic table	f
Shell structure	2.8.18.32.18.10.2
CAS Registry	7440-29-1

Discovery

Thorium was discovered by a Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1828. He named the element after Thor, the god of thunder in Norse mythology.

Physical Properties

Thorium is a dense, silvery-white metal that is malleable and ductile. It has a melting point of 1,750°C and a boiling point of 4,790°C. Thorium is a reactive metal that tarnishes in air, and it slowly dissolves in water. It is also a weak electrical conductor.

Chemical Properties

Thorium is a member of the actinide series, and it is the first element of the series that can be found in significant quantities in nature. Thorium is a highly radioactive element, and it decays slowly by alpha emission to form isotopes of other elements. It has 29 known isotopes, with thorium-232 being the most abundant and stable isotope.

Facts

• Thorium is four times more abundant than uranium and is found in rocks and soils.
• It is used in nuclear reactors as a fuel and as a component in nuclear weapons.
• Thorium has the potential as a safer and cleaner alternative to traditional nuclear energy sources.

Applications

Thorium has several important applications, including:

• Nuclear energy: Thorium is used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors. It can also be used as a component in nuclear weapons.
• Lighting: Thorium is used in gas mantles for outdoor lighting because of its ability to glow in the dark.
• Alloys: Thorium is used as an alloying agent in magnesium and aluminum alloys, which are used in aerospace applications.
• Medical: Thorium has been used in medical imaging and as a cancer treatment.

Thorium is a naturally occurring, slightly radioactive metal element that has several important applications, including in nuclear energy, lighting, alloys, and medical uses.

As a safer and cleaner alternative to traditional nuclear energy sources, thorium has the potential to play an important role in the future of energy production.