Why is this element important in everyday life?
This element provides many uses in everyday life. It is commonly used in nuclear power plants because it can easily be converted to uranium. It also helps create lab equipment used all over the world such as crucibles and high quality glass used in scientific instruments such as telescopes and microscopes. When alloyed with magnesium, it creates an extremely strong and creep resistant metal. One of its most common uses is in "Welsbach Mantles", which are used to store portable gas.
Where is this element found in nature?
True thorium minerals, thorianite and thorite, do not occur in large quantities in nature. The chief source of thorium is monozite, which is most often found in beach sand.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Silvery white in color, very heavy, dense, and very abundant. Also very reactive by nature.
Atomic Symbol = Th
Period Number = 7
Group Number and Family Name =4, Transition Metals
Atomic Number = 90
Atomic Mass =232.04
Density =11724 kg m -3
Melting Point =2115 K
Boiling Point =5093 K
Electron Configuration =1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s24d105p66s24f145d106p67s25f2
Shorthand Notation =[Rn]7s2
Common Reactions = Alloys with magnesium. Also is commonly made into uranium.
Interesting Information =
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Thorium has more potential energy in it than all other fossil fuels combined. It was named for the Norse god Thor.
Who is ?
Ralph? Well, I'll let him tell you. Take it Ralph!
(To the tune of Old Suzanna) Oh, my name is Ralph Thorium I'm not very well known But I'm in some nuclear power plants That may help to heat your home Chorus: My atomic numbers ninety And I'm radioactive Way down in the distant F-block Is where I choose to live Oh, I'm found in reserves of Monazite All over this great land From Canada to India And even in beach sand (Chorus) Oh I'm used to date fossils Along with my pal Uranium I produce a powerful alloy When combined with Magnesium (Chorus) I can store more energy in me Than any fossil fuel And I'm named for the Norse god Thor I think he's very cool (Chorus) My atomic mass is 232 And that makes me quite happy 'Cuz there's not many other elements Who weigh much more than me (Chorus)
