Question

Which actinides are man-made?

Answer 1

1. Actinides are the series of elements involving the filling of the 5f orbital.
2. It followed Actinium$\left(\mathrm{Ac}\right)$, and the elements present in this series are actinides including elements from Thorium$\left(\mathrm{Th}\right)$to Lawrencium$\left(\mathrm{Lr}\right)$.
3. This series includes elements from atomic numbers 90 to 103.
4. All the actinides are radioactive.
5. Thorium is used in form of oxide, ${\mathrm{ThO}}_2$ is used for making incandescent gas mantles.
6. Thorium is used in manufacturing fine rods for atomic reactors.
7. Thorium salts are also used in medicines in the treatment of cancer.
8. Uranium is used in the production of nuclear energy by the process of nuclear fission.
9. Uranium salts are used in the textile industry, the ceramic industry as well as in medicines.
10. The man-made actinides are Plutonium (Pu), Americinium (Am), Protactinium (Pa), and Neptunium (Np).