Thorium
Th (Thorium)
Thorium on the Periodic Table
- Symbol: Th
- Atomic Number: 90
- Atomic Mass: 232.03806 u ± 0.00002 u
- Type of Element: Metallic; Radioactive
Uses
- Used to coat tungsten filaments in electronics
- Can be used in nuclear fuel after a chemical process
- Alloy agent in magnesium
Thorium
Silver, half-solid
Thorium
Black, solid
Thorium
Grey, solid
Properties
- Silvery-white, but tarnishes to grey/black when in contact with oxide
- Does not oxide further than Thorium oxide (ThO2), unlike UO2, or other elements
- Can be compounded together with other elements with unique properties
Interesting Facts
- Named after the Norse god Thor, god of lightning
- Can be nuclear fuel, but more often found in an iPhone, MacBook, TV, computer, etc. for coating of parts and wires
- 7 types of reactors can use Thorium as nuclear fuel
- Found in a rare mineral, called Monazite