Thorium (Th)
Thorium is a radioactive metal being researched as a safer alternative to uranium for nuclear power.
Properties of Thorium
- Atomic number
- 90
- Category
- Actinide
- Atomic mass
- 232.04 u
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 6d² 7s²
- Melting point
- 2023 K (1749.85 °C)
- Boiling point
- 5061 K (4787.85 °C)
- Density
- 11.72 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.3
- Appearance
- Silvery-white metal
- Discovered by
- Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1829)
Facts about Thorium
- Thorium is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder!
- Thorium could power nuclear reactors that produce less dangerous waste than uranium!
- Thorium is about three times more abundant in Earth's crust than uranium!
- Old camping lantern mantles used to contain thorium to glow brightly!