Actinium
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Actinium (Ac) is a silvery colored radioactive metal that has the atomic number 89 in the periodic table. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Ac.
Actinium was first isolated in 1899 by French chemist André-Louis Debierne, a French scientist. Actinium is a soft radioactive metal that reacts with oxygen to form a layer of actinium oxide. It is not found naturally in the earths crust but exists in ores of uranium and thorium. It emits beta and alpha particles. It does not have many uses due to its rarity but it is used in nuclear generators of spacecraft with other elements as a neutron source. It has been researched for its use in radiotherapy due to its short half life and beta production. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 1227°c and a boiling point of 3200°c.
FAQ's
André Debierne
1899
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Extremely rare, found in all uranium ores. Usually obtained by treating radium with neutrons in a reactor.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Ac
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