Thorium

Atomic Number: 90
Symbol: Th
Atomic Mass: 232.04 u
Number of Neutrons: 142
Melting Point: 1750°C
Boiling Point: 4787°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.32.18.10.2
Electron configuration: [Rn] 6d² 7s²

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Thorium is the 90th element in the periodic table and it is the 2nd element in the actinide series. It is silvery and gets a black color when exposed to air. It is also moderately hard, and malleable with a high melting point. Thorium is radioactive and when in contact with the body it can be stored in bones. Because of this it can cause bone cancer many years after the exposure to thorium. Thorium is also used to strengthen magnesium, and coating tungsten wire in electrical equipment. Thorium is mined from the ground in India, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Egypt, and Venezuela. This element is found in ores and minerals such as monazite, which contains up to about 12% thorium phosphate. Thorium was discovered in 1828 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius.

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