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.
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Thorium is not commonly used in everyday life. It is primarily used in nuclear reactors for its potential as a fuel source. Some rare earth elements containing thorium are used in specialized applications like lighting (mantles in lanterns) and camera lenses, but these are not mainstream uses.
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.
Plutonium is primarily used in nuclear reactors to produce energy and in nuclear weapons for military purposes. It is not commonly used in everyday life due to its highly radioactive and toxic nature.
Curium is not found naturally on Earth and is primarily created in laboratories for research purposes. It is not used in everyday life due to its radioactive properties and limited availability.
Thorium can accumulate in marine organisms, potentially causing harm through radiation exposure and disrupting biological processes. High levels of thorium in the environment can lead to negative impacts on marine life, including reduced reproductive success and genetic damage. It is important to monitor and control thorium concentrations to protect marine ecosystems.
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.