Facts About Thorium and Americium
Interesting Facts
- Thorium metal is used as an alternate option over Uranium for nuclear fuel.
- Thorium metals appearance (silvery white, soft) is somewhat similar to Lead metal.
- Americium metal is produced by bombarding Plutonium with Neutrons.
- Americium metal was discovered as a by-product while testing an atomic bomb (Manhattan Project).
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining
Obtained By Bombarding Plutonium with Neutrons
Who Discovered
Jöns Jakob Berzelius
Glenn T. Seaborg, Ralph A. James, Leon O. Morgan, Albert Ghiorso
Discovery
In 1829
In 1944
Abundance In Universe
Not Available
Abundance In Sun
~-9999 %
Abundance In Meteorites
Not Available
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Not Available
Abundance In Oceans
Not Available