Element Family
Transition Metal
Actinide
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- Hafnium metal is highly reactive, hence not found free in nature.
- Hafnium metal as predicated after Mendeleev finished his periodic table.
- 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.
Sources
By-product Zirconium Refining
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Dirk Coster and George de Hevesy
Jöns Jakob Berzelius
Discovery
In 1922
In 1829
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- It has an ability to absorb neutrons and hence it is used to make control rods in nuclear submarines. And this metal is also used in Plasma welding torches.
-
It alloys with iron, titanium and niobium are very useful.
- Thorium metal is used as an allying agent for Magnesium, It imparts greater strength and resistance to temperature.
-
compound of this metal Thorium oxide is used as an industrial catalyst.
Industrial Uses
Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Medical Uses
NA
Dentistry, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing
Other Uses
Alloys, In Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Research, Research Purposes
Alloys, Jewellery, Sculptures, Statues
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
Physical State
Solid
Solid
α Allotropes
Not Available
Not Available
β Allotropes
Not Available
Not Available
γ Allotropes
Not Available
Not Available
Pauling Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Allen Electronegativity
Not Available
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Anti Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2
[Rn] 6d2 7s2
Crystal Structure
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Crystal Lattice
BCC-Crystal-Structure-.jpg#100
FCC-Crystal-Structure-of-Thorium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
π/2, π/2, π/2
Lattice C/A Ratio
Not Available
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Not Available
Tensile Strength
Not Available
Viscosity
Not Available
Not Available
Other Mechanical Properties
Ductile, Malleable
Ductile
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Superconductor
Electron Affinity
Not Available
Critical Temperature
Not Available
Not Available