| Symbol | Ac |
| Atomic Number | 89 |
| Atomic Mass | 227 g mol -1 |
| Discovered by | Andre Debierne in 1899 |
Table of Contents
Element Information
| Group | Actinides | Melting point | 1050°C, 1922°F, 1323 K |
| Period | 7 | Boiling point | 3200°C, 5792°F, 3473 K |
| Block | d | Density (g cm−3) | Unknown |
| Atomic number | 89 | Relative atomic mass | [227] |
| State at 20°C | Solid | Key isotopes | 227Ac |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 6d17s2 | CAS number | 7440-34-8 |
| ChemSpider ID | 22404 | ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database | |
What is Actinium?
Actinium is the first element of the actinide series. All 36 known isotopes of actinium are radioactive. Ac 227 and 228 are naturally occurring isotopes with the half-life of 21.77 years and 6.13 hours respectively. It is 150 times more radioactive than radium. It is hazardous to health. If ingested, it gets deposited into the liver and bones, damaging the cells due to radioactive decay.
- Actinium is a radioactive element with an atomic number 89 of the periodic table.
- It has the physical appearance of metallic silver.
- In nature, it is found in traces of most of the Uranium ores.
- Due to intense radioactivity, this metal glows blue in the dark.
- It also shares similar properties to that of lanthanum.
Properties of Actinium
- This radioactive element reacts with oxygen to form a white coating like substance called actinium oxide. Thus preventing the metal from further getting oxidized.
- The actinium ions appear colourless when kept in a solution. It is one of the strongest radioactive elements.
Uses of Actinium
It is found naturally in uranium ores. It rarely occurs as a free element in the earth’s crust. It is more frequently produced in the lab.
- It is a vital source of alpha rays.
- Ac 225 is used in the field of medicine as an agent for radiation therapy.
- It has immense value as a neutron source as it is one fifty times more radioactive than compared to radium.
- Ac does not find much significant use in any industrial application.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the use of actinium?
Actinium is used in the field of medicine as an agent for radiation therapy. It is found naturally in uranium ores. It has immense value as a neutron source as it is one fifty times more radioactive than compared to radium
How dangerous is actinium?
Actinium is a radioactive element that emits alpha rays. So it is toxic in nature. It is only used for research purposes.
Is actinium an actinide?
Actinium is the first member of the actinide series, although it has no 5f electrons but it has similar chemical properties to Lanthanum.
What are the interesting facts about Actinium?
The word actinium comes from Greek aktis or aktions, which means beam or ray. Actinium glows in the dark due to its intense radioactivity with blue light. In 1899 it was discovered by André Debierne. It has 36 isotopes none of them are stable.
Is actinium rare or common?
Actinium is the rare element. It is found in trace amounts in uranium ore, but more commonly produced by the neutron irradiation of 226-Ra in nuclear reactor.
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