Thorium
THOR-i-em
Thorium (Th) is a silvery-white colored radioactive metal that has the atomic number 90 in the periodic table. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Th.
Thorium is named after the norse god of thunder, Thor. Thorium was first thought to have been discovered in 1815 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius however in 1824 it was proven to be Yttrium. It was not until 1828 when Berzelius was analysing a Norwegian mineral that he discovered the unknown element Thorium. As a liquid Thorium has a wider temperature range between its boiling and melting points than any other element. It is about as abundant as lead in the earth’s crust but does not exist in its natural state. It is been used since 1885 in the creation of gas mantles and gas lamps and is also used to strengthen wires as an alloy. Thorium is seen as a potential alternative to uranium in nuclear reactors as it is more easily extracted and it is more abundant in the earths crust. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 1750°c and a boiling point of 4790°c.
FAQ's
Jöns Berzelius
1828
Uses
Used in making strong alloys. Also in ultraviolet photoelectric cells. It is a common ingredient in high-quality lenses. Bombarded with neutrons make uranium-233, a nuclear fuel.
Sources
Found in various minerals like monazite and thorite.
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
Th
Download the Periodic Table
