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Discovering Thorium: Properties, Uses, and Origins

Explore the discovery, properties, and uses of thorium, a radioactive element named after the god Thor. Learn about its origin, characteristics, applications in ceramics and welding, and its natural occurrence. Uncover the enduring legacy of thorium as a valuable metal.

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Discovering Thorium: Properties, Uses, and Origins

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  1. Thorium By John de Saint Phalle

  2. Table of contents • Who discovered thorium • Where does thorium come from • Properties of thorium • Uses of thorium

  3. Who Discovered It? • Swedish chemist named Jons Jakob “J.J.” Berzelius discovers thorium in 1828 • Berzelius named the new element after the ancient Scandinavian god of thunder and weather: Thor • Thorium was later discovered to be radioactive by Marie Curie in 1898

  4. Where Does Thorium Come From? • Thorium is a natural occurring metal that in found in low levels of water, soil and rock • Thorium can be found in most plants and animals because they drink the water, and they live on the soil and rock • It can also be found in certain minerals such as monazite and thorite

  5. Properties of Thorium • Soft, silvery-white metal • Is able to remain shiny for months when in the open air • Soluble in water • Highly radioactive • Has a half-life of 75,400 years

  6. Uses of Thorium • Has coloring properties and is used in ceramic glazes • Most commonly used in lanterns because of the bright light it omits when heated • Used in welding rods to make them burn better • Used to improve properties of ophthalmolic lenses

  7. Bibliography • J.D. Cox, DD., Wagman, and V.A. Medvedev, CODATA Key Values for Thermodynamics, Hemisphere Publishing Corp., New York, USA, 1989. • “Thorium.” CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 15 December 2003. <http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/90.html>(15 January 2007).

  8. THE END

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