Why is this element important in everyday life?
This element is important in the life of everyday man in a few ways. Because of Thorium's low work function and high electron emission, it is used to coat Tungsten wire in electrical equipment. It is also used to control the grain size of Tungsten used for electric lamps. It is also used in high temperature laboratory crucibles. Thorium can also be used for generating power. It is more efficient for nuclear power than uranium.
Where is this element found in nature?
In nature, this element is found in large quantities in New England states the surrounding areas.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
There are many characteristics for the element Thorium. It is a silvery white metal that is air stable. It thirteen known isotopes all of which are radioactive. It is thought to be three times as abundant as uranium. It has a half life of 1.41x1011 years and decays into a final product of lead.
Atomic Symbol = Th
Period Number =Actinide series
Group Number and Family Name =NA
Atomic Number = 90
Atomic Mass =232.038 grams per mol
Density =11.66 grams per cubic centimeter
Melting Point =1,700 degrees C
Boiling Point =4,000 degrees C
Electron Configuration =1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s24d105p66s24f145d106p67s25f2
Shorthand Notation =[Rn]7s25f2
Common Reactions =Thorium reacts in the air by tarnishing. It turns a gray color and then turns black. Also, it bursts into a brilliant white light when it is heated.
Interesting Information =Thorium was discovered by Mr. Berzelius in the year 1828. It was named after the Scandinavian god of war, Thor. It was also found to be radioactive by Marie Curie. There are also ways to produce usable Thorium. One method is to combine Thorium Oxide with Calcium. Another is by the electrolysis of anhydrous Thorium Chloride in a fused mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides. Another is the reduction of Thorium tetrachloride with an alkali metal, and the last known way is the Calcium reduction of Thorium tetrachloride mixed with anhydrous Zinc Chloride.
Who is Thorium?
In the beginning there was nothing, and then there was Thor. Thor decided, as god of all wars, to control the elements. From up in the heavens, he could not do so. Therefore, Thor sent his chosen messenger Thorium to spread the word of submission to all gasses and metalloids. Little did Thor know that his plan would backfire.
Thorium began his quest with much success. After being discovered and revered as the great element he was, many began to believe his message of submission. Unfortunately, it was not in Thorium's nature to take things from other elements and easily had things taken from him. Even though he was such a large and powerful looking element few others were intimidated by him. Fortunately he was able to have some success with people because he inflicted them with cancers and diseases. Sadly, they all died and none were left to hear his cause. He nevertheless attempted to spread the titular word of Thor.
Thorium began to worry that his master Thor would be disgraced by his failure. He decided to search the world to find a suitable place to hide. He one day stumbled upon the great continent of North America. It was there that he found the perfect place to hide. He went to what is now known as New England and buried himself far underground. Even there him tried to convert the occasional worm or other vermin into believing his message from Thor. Sadly, even there no one listened.
Back on Valhalla, where the Scandinavian gods lived, Thor was greatly enraged by the failure of his messenger Thorium. Instead of fearing him, people were using him for useful purposes like energy. Thor's great message was not being spread to the elements. Thor was the laughing stock of all the other gods. Even the Greek and Roman gods laughed at him. Thor decided to curse Thorium by slowly making him turn into lead. To this day, Thorium continues to turn into lead and elements continue to never hear the message of Thor.
