Thorium
⚛️ In Your World
Thorium is a weakly radioactive metal that is being explored as a safer and more abundant alternative to uranium for nuclear fuel. Thorium reactors could potentially produce less long-lived radioactive waste. Historically, its oxide was used in gas mantles for lanterns, which glowed brightly when heated. It is also used in high-quality camera lenses and scientific instruments.
📖 The Discovery Story
Thorium was discovered in 1828 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. He was given a sample of a black mineral from Norway by a mineralogist. Berzelius analyzed it and confirmed it contained a new element. He named it "thorium" after Thor, the powerful Norse god of thunder. Its radioactivity was discovered much later, in 1898, by Gerhard Carl Schmidt and independently by Marie Curie.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1750 °C / 3182 °F |
| Boiling Point | 4788 °C / 8650 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 6d²7s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.0006% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Thorium is weakly radioactive and not considered a significant hazard in small quantities, as its radiation can be stopped by a sheet of paper. However, thorium dust is pyrophoric and can ignite spontaneously in air. Inhaling thorium dust can increase the risk of lung and pancreatic cancer over the long term, as its decay products (like radon) are more dangerous.