9303753286127016 Actinium

Actinium

 

Actinium

Actinium
SymbolAc
Atomic Number89
Atomic Mass227 g mol -1
Discovered byAndre Debierne in 1899

Table of Contents

Element Information

GroupActinidesMelting point1050°C, 1922°F, 1323 K
Period7Boiling point3200°C, 5792°F, 3473 K
BlockdDensity (g cm−3)Unknown
Atomic number89Relative atomic mass[227]
State at 20°CSolidKey isotopes227Ac
Electron configuration[Rn]  6d17s2CAS number7440-34-8
ChemSpider ID22404ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database

What is Actinium?

Actinium is the first element of the actinide series. All 36 known isotopes of actinium are radioactive. Ac 227 and 228 are naturally occurring isotopes with the half-life of 21.77 years and 6.13 hours respectively. It is 150 times more radioactive than radium. It is hazardous to health. If ingested, it gets deposited into the liver and bones, damaging the cells due to radioactive decay.

  • Actinium is a radioactive element with an atomic number 89 of the periodic table.
  • It has the physical appearance of metallic silver.
  • In nature, it is found in traces of most of the Uranium ores.
  • Due to intense radioactivity, this metal glows blue in the dark.
  • It also shares similar properties to that of lanthanum.

Properties of Actinium

  • This radioactive element reacts with oxygen to form a white coating like substance called actinium oxide. Thus preventing the metal from further getting oxidized.
  • The actinium ions appear colourless when kept in a solution. It is one of the strongest radioactive elements.

Uses of Actinium

It is found naturally in uranium ores. It rarely occurs as a free element in the earth’s crust. It is more frequently produced in the lab.

  • It is a vital source of alpha rays.
  • Ac 225 is used in the field of medicine as an agent for radiation therapy.
  • It has immense value as a neutron source as it is one fifty times more radioactive than compared to radium.
  • Ac does not find much significant use in any industrial application.


Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is the use of actinium?

Actinium is used in the field of medicine as an agent for radiation therapy. It is found naturally in uranium ores. It has immense value as a neutron source as it is one fifty times more radioactive than compared to radium

Q2

How dangerous is actinium?

Actinium is a radioactive element that emits alpha rays. So it is toxic in nature. It is only used for research purposes.

Q3

Is actinium an actinide?

Actinium is the first member of the actinide series, although it has no 5f electrons but it has similar chemical properties to Lanthanum.

Q4

What are the interesting facts about Actinium?

The word actinium comes from Greek aktis or aktions, which means beam or ray. Actinium glows in the dark due to its intense radioactivity with blue light. In 1899 it was discovered by André Debierne. It has 36 isotopes none of them are stable.

Q5

Is actinium rare or common?

Actinium is the rare element. It is found in trace amounts in uranium ore, but more commonly produced by the neutron irradiation of 226-Ra in nuclear reactor.

Balkishan Agrawal

At the helm of GMS Learning is Principal Balkishan Agrawal, a dedicated and experienced educationist. Under his able guidance, our school has flourished academically and has achieved remarkable milestones in various fields. Principal Agrawal’s vision for the school is centered on providing a nurturing environment where every student can thrive, learn, and grow.

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