thorium [Th]
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Introduction
Named for Thor, the god of thunder. Discovered in 1828 by Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius.
Occurrence
- occurs combined in minerals, usually associated with rare-earth elements
- primarily obtained from the minerals thorite & thorianite
Characteristics
- silvery-white metal
- weakly radioactive metallic element
- much of the Earth's internal heat has been attributed to thorium & uranium decay
- high melting point
- powdered metal burns easily
- pure metal resists corrosion but tarnishes in air when contaminated with its oxide
Uses
- fabricating portable glass lamps, filament wire, breeder reactor fuel, gaslight mantles, crucibles
- thorium oxide is used as a catalyst in the production of sulfuric acid & the conversion of ammonia to nitric acid