Radium
RAY-di-em
Radium (Ra) is a silvery-white colored metal that has the atomic number 88 in the periodic table. It is an Alkaline earth Metal with the symbol Ra and is located in Group 2 of the periodic table.
Radium was discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898 in the ore Pitchblende after their discovery of polonium in the same ore. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 700°c and a boiling point of 1140°c. Radium is a radioactive element an will decay quickly. It glows in the dark and also some of its compounds will as well. Radium is sometimes used in the production of glow in the dark paints but due to its toxicity is no longer used. Radium is not present in its elemental form in the earths crust but instead found in uranium deposits and in sea water. Radium compounds produce alpha, beta and gamma rays making them dangerous to humans.
FAQ's
Pierre and Marie Curie
1898
Uses
Used in treating cancer because of the gamma rays it gives off.
Sources
Found in uranium ores at 1 part per 3 million parts uranium.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Ra
Download the Periodic Table
