Thorium-229 is used as raw material to produce Ac-225 and Bi-213, isotopes with medicinal uses.
The balanced equation for the alpha decay of thorium-229, Th-229, is: Th-229 -> Ra-225 + He-4 This equation shows that a thorium-229 nucleus undergoes alpha decay to form a radium-225 nucleus and a helium-4 particle.
The main isotopes of thorium are thorium-232, thorium-230, and thorium-229. Thorium-232 is the most abundant and stable isotope of thorium, while thorium-230 and thorium-229 are radioactive isotopes that undergo decay processes.
This process is called alpha decay.
Thorium has no biological role. Thorium is a heavy, radioactive metal which is not used in the human body.
Thorium is not used in the human body. While thorium is a naturally occurring element, it is not essential for human health and can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, as it is radioactive. It is primarily used in industrial and energy applications.
Thorium is not used in nuclear medicine.
Yes, thorium was used as a fertile material in nuclear reactors.
Common compounds of thorium: thorium dioxide, thorium trifluoride, thorium tetrafluoride, thorium tetrachloride, thorium triiodide, thorium diiodide, thorium tetraiodide, thorium nitrate, thorium oxalate, thorium carbide, thorium sulfides, thorium nitride, thorium oxinate, etc.
O: Thorium oxide, ThO2 - many important uses, see the link F: Thorium tetrafluoride, ThF4 - used as antireflection layer in optics C: Thorium carbide, ThC - used as nuclear fuel
Hazards and Health Considerations: Thorium presents both a toxic and radiological hazard. Toxicologically, it causes heavy metal poisoning similar to lead or the uranium isotopes. Biologically, thorium accumulates in the skeletal system where it has a biological half-life of 200 years, the same as plutonium. An M 17 protective mask and standard anti-contamination clothing will adequately protect against thorium.
Yes, thorium is used in gas mantles; the intensity of the light is increased.
Thorium is not used for everyday life. Some thorium uses: - fertile material (as ThO2) in nuclear power reactors; is a precursor of the fissile isotope 233U. - thorium dioxide can be used as refractory material for crucibles, tubes, rods, etc. - thorium tetrafluoride (ThF4) is used as anti-reflection coating in optics. - gas mantles (as ThO2) - alloying metal for some aviation components (magnesium-thorium alloy, magnesium-zinc-thorium); also for welding alloys wolfram-thorium - additive (as ThO2) in wolfram filaments - to stop crystalline growth of W and to increase time of use of light bulbs - catalyst in organic chemistry (as ThO2) - additive for special glass (as ThO2) - additive in filaments (as ThO2) of magnetron tubes - reagent in chemistry laboratories (as thorium nitrate) - etc.