Science

What is protactinium? »Its definition and meaning

Anonim

It is found in group 3 of the periodic table, with atomic number 91, symbol Pa, metallic silver in color and of intense shine with golden tones, element of period 7, very heavy and solid metal, it is malleable and ductile, belonging to Actinid group the third in its generation. It is highly expensive due to its scarcity to achieve it and has no application whatsoever for a human utility project, in such case, it must be implemented under strict surveillance; as it is highly radioactive and toxic.

They generally locate it in the waste of nuclear fuels, since they cannot be found as free agents in nature. The compounds of this element prepared in laboratories are: binary and polinary oxides, Halides, sulfates, oxysulfates, double sulfates, oxynitrates, selenates, carbides, organometallic compounds and alloys with noble metals.

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, said for the years 1871 that there should be an element of atomic number 91, but it was not until the year 1900 that William Crookes isolated it. Even so, it was not until 1917 that the German chemist Otto Hahn and the English chemist Lise Meitner traced this element and the prediction of Dimitri, Hahn and Meitner was confirmed.They decomposed the mineral called pitchblende with hot acid, separating it and cleaning it from other metals., found a residue that disintegrated to actinium, proving to be a radioactive element with a number of protons and electrons number 91.

Being highly dangerous for health, giving results when exposed to its gamma rays in cancer of the liver, kidneys, bones and when inhaled it decompresses the lungs, so it must be handled with the same safety as Plutonium.