Radium Element Properties and Information
Radium Element Properties and Information
Radium is 88th element on the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table on the basis of the atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Radium has an atomic number of 88. It is located in the Group 2 and Period 7 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by the symbol ‘Ra’. The name is derived from the Latin word ‘Radius’ which means ‘Ray’.
Marie Curie and Pierre Curie observed that a sample of uranium oxide glowed with a faint blue light; they analysed it and the spectrum lines indicated existence of a new element. They extracted radium from uranium ore pitchblende in 1898.
Radium occurs naturally on Earth as part of decay chains of natural thorium and uranium isotopes. One kilogram Earth’s crust contains 900 picograms of radium.
Physical Properties
- Radium is silvery-white in appearance and belongs to alkaline earth metals group.
- The atomic mass of radium is 226.05.
- The melting point of radium is 700°C.
- The boiling point of radium is 1140°C.
- The density of radium is 5000 in S.I. units at 20°C.
- Radium displays a body-centered cubic structure at STP.
- Radium has 33 known isotopes.
Chemical Properties
- Radium is a highly reactive metal.
- Radium compounds always exhibit the oxidation state of +2.
- Most radium compounds are simple ionic compounds.
Methods of Production
Fractional Crystallisation: The uranium ore is first crushed and then dissolved in sulfuric acid. The solution is boiled with sodium hydroxide and then treated with hydrochloric acid and then with hydrogen sulfide to remove the impurities. Then the fractional crystallisation method is employed to remove the impurities.
Relevance in Chemical & Related Industries
Paints: Radium is used to make luminous paint.
Relevance in Other Industries
Research: Radium is suited to study of phenomenon which could not be covered in standard model.
Health Effects of Exposure
- High-dose [short-term] exposure: Cataract, Teeth Fracture, Anaemia.
- Long-term exposure: Cancer
Effects on Surroundings
- Biomagnification: If radium is released in water-bodies, it will accumulate in food-chain and biomagnify.
- Soils: The soils near the uranium ore extraction areas have high quantities of radium. Animals that eat the plants growing on the soil gets affected.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium
https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/ra.htm
https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/88/radium
