Element Family
Actinide
Transition Metal
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
P63/mmc
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.
- Zirconium metal can resist to weak acids.
- Zirconium metal reacts with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Jöns Jakob Berzelius
Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Discovery
In 1829
In 1789
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- 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.
- As this metal does not absorb neutrons; It is used in nuclear power stations.
- Its oxide is used in ultra strong ceramics. It is also used in manufacturing Crucibles.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Medical Uses
Dentistry, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing
-
Other Uses
Alloys, Jewellery, Sculptures, Statues
Alloys, Nuclear Research, Research Purposes
Present in Human Body
Yes
Yes
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery White
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Anti Corrosion, Flammable, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Rn] 6d2 7s2
[Kr] 4d2 5s2
Crystal Structure
Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
FCC-Crystal-Structure-of-Thorium.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Zirconium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
Ductile
Ductile, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Superconductor
Conductor