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radium [Ra]
From the Latin radius, ray. Discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie & Pierre Curie in Pitchblende.
Occurrence:
1) occurs naturally in a uranium & thorium minerals
2) occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (as pitchblende or carnotite)
Characteristics:
1) intensely radioactive shining white metallic metallic
-> blackens on exposure to air
2) resembles barium chemically
3) reactive with oxygen
4) decomposes in air
5) the surface of radium is covered with a protective thin layer of the oxide
6) radium emits alpha particles & gamma rays to form radon
7) luminescence
Uses:
1) radiation therapy
2) luminous materials
-> once used in the mid 1900s as a luminous paint to make the hands & numbers on watches & clocks glow in the dark
Related
periodic table
Specific
radium Ra[223] dichloride (Xofigo)
radium-223
General
alkaline earth metal
Properties
SIZE: AW = 226.03
atomic number
VALUE: 88
VALENCE: RN 7S2
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003