Radium (nonfiction): Difference between revisions

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'''Radium''' is a [[chemical element (nonfiction)]] with symbol '''Ra''' and atomic number 88.
[[File:Curie_and_radium_by_Castaigne.jpg|thumb|M. and Mme. Curie experimenting with radium.]]'''Radium''' is a chemical element with symbol '''Ra''' and atomic number 88.
 
== Description ==
 
It is the sixth element in group 2 of the periodic table, also known as the alkaline earth metals.
 
Pure radium is almost colorless, but it readily combines with nitrogen (rather than oxygen) on exposure to air, forming a black surface layer of radium nitride (Ra3N2).


All isotopes of radium are highly radioactive, with the most stable isotope being radium-226, which has a half-life of 1600 years and decays into radon gas (specifically the isotope radon-222).
All isotopes of radium are highly radioactive, with the most stable isotope being radium-226, which has a half-life of 1600 years and decays into radon gas (specifically the isotope radon-222).
Line 11: Line 5:
When radium decays, ionizing radiation is a product, which can excite fluorescent chemicals and cause radioluminescence.
When radium decays, ionizing radiation is a product, which can excite fluorescent chemicals and cause radioluminescence.


Radium, in the form of radium chloride, was discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in 1898. They extracted the radium compound from uraninite and published the discovery at the French Academy of Sciences five days later.
Radium, in the form of radium chloride, was discovered by [[Marie Curie (nonfiction)|Marie Curie]] and [[Pierre Curie (nonfiction)|Pierre Curie]] in 1898.


Radium was isolated in its metallic state by [[Marie Curie (nonfiction)]] and [[André-Louis Debierne (nonfiction)]] through the electrolysis of radium chloride in 1910.
Radium was isolated in its metallic state by Marie Curie and [[André-Louis Debierne (nonfiction)|André-Louis Debierne]] through the electrolysis of radium chloride in 1910.
 
In nature, radium is found in uranium and (to a lesser extent) thorium ores in trace amounts as small as a seventh of a gram per ton of uraninite.
 
== Living organisms ==


Radium is not necessary for living organisms, and adverse health effects are likely when it is incorporated into biochemical processes because of its radioactivity and chemical reactivity.
Radium is not necessary for living organisms, and adverse health effects are likely when it is incorporated into biochemical processes because of its radioactivity and chemical reactivity.


== Commercial applications ==
Radium was formerly used as a radioactive source for radioluminescent devices and also in radioactive quackery for its supposed curative powers.  
 
Currently, other than its use in nuclear medicine, radium has no commercial applications; formerly, it was used as a radioactive source for radioluminescent devices and also in radioactive quackery for its supposed curative powers.


Today, these former applications are no longer in vogue because radium's toxicity has since become known, and less dangerous isotopes are used instead in radioluminescent devices.
Today, these former applications are no longer in vogue because radium's toxicity has since become known, and less dangerous isotopes are used instead in radioluminescent devices.


== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
== In the News ==


* [[Chemical element (nonfiction)]]
<gallery>
File:Bec_Radium_France.jpg|''Le Bec'' "Radium 120" delicious, say 73% of taste-test survivors.
File:Curie_and_radium_by_Castaigne.jpg|link=Crimes against physical constants|1899: Marie and Pierre Curie use radium to detect and expose [[crimes against physical constants]].
</gallery>


== Fiction cross-reference ==
== Fiction cross-reference ==


* [[Curious Forage]]
* [[Extract of Radium]]
* [[Extract of Radium]]
* [[Scrimshaw abuse]]
== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
* [[Chemical element (nonfiction)]]
* [[André-Louis Debierne (nonfiction)]]
* [[Marie Curie (nonfiction)]]
* [[Pierre Curie (nonfiction)]]


== External links ==
External links:


* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium Radium] @ Wikipedia
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium Radium] @ Wikipedia
[[Category:Nonfiction (nonfiction)]]
[[Category:Chemical elements (nonfiction)]]
[[Category:Materials (nonfiction)]]

Latest revision as of 06:28, 11 March 2019

M. and Mme. Curie experimenting with radium.

Radium is a chemical element with symbol Ra and atomic number 88.

All isotopes of radium are highly radioactive, with the most stable isotope being radium-226, which has a half-life of 1600 years and decays into radon gas (specifically the isotope radon-222).

When radium decays, ionizing radiation is a product, which can excite fluorescent chemicals and cause radioluminescence.

Radium, in the form of radium chloride, was discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in 1898.

Radium was isolated in its metallic state by Marie Curie and André-Louis Debierne through the electrolysis of radium chloride in 1910.

Radium is not necessary for living organisms, and adverse health effects are likely when it is incorporated into biochemical processes because of its radioactivity and chemical reactivity.

Radium was formerly used as a radioactive source for radioluminescent devices and also in radioactive quackery for its supposed curative powers.

Today, these former applications are no longer in vogue because radium's toxicity has since become known, and less dangerous isotopes are used instead in radioluminescent devices.

In the News

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links:

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