Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Th |
| Atomic Number | 90 |
| Atomic Mass | 232.04 u |
| Category | Actinide |
| Period | 7 |
| Group | 3 |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 6d² 7s² |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: Jöns Jacob Berzelius Year of Discovery: 1829 Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Etymology
Named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
Applications and Uses
- Potential nuclear fuel (thorium reactors)
- Historically: gas mantles (incandescent lighting)
- Welding electrodes
- High-quality lenses
- Magnesium alloys
Nuclear Potential
Thorium could fuel nuclear reactors with less weapons-grade material production than uranium. India and China are researching thorium reactors.
Interesting Facts
- More abundant than uranium
- Named after the Norse god Thor
- Could power reactors for thousands of years
- Thoriated gas mantles were common until the 1990s
- Produces less nuclear waste than uranium