Thorium is a silvery-white, radioactive metallic element with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is part of the actinide series and is known for its relatively high density and melting point. Thorium is primarily found in nature as thorium dioxide (ThO2) and is often extracted from minerals such as monazite. One of its notable characteristics is its ability to undergo alpha decay, which contributes to its radioactivity. Thorium has a number of potential applications, particularly in nuclear energy, as it can be used as a fuel in nuclear reactors, offering advantages such as a higher thermal conductivity and a lower risk of nuclear proliferation compared to uranium. Additionally, thorium is less toxic than many other heavy metals, making it an attractive option for various industrial applications. However, handling thorium requires caution due to its radioactive properties, necessitating appropriate safety measures to mitigate exposure. Overall, thorium presents both opportunities and challenges in the fields of energy and materials science.

Discovered in 1828 by Berzelius, thorium is a naturally occurring
radioactive metal with no stable isotopes, which is named for the
Norse god Thor. It is about as abundant as lead. Soil commonly
contains an average of about six parts of thorium per million
parts (ppm) of soil. Thorium occurs in the minerals thorite,
thorianite, orangite, and yttrocrasite, and in monazite sand.
Rocks in some underground mines may also contain thorium in
a more concentrated form. After these rocks are mined, thorium
is usually concentrated and changed into thorium dioxide or
other chemical forms. Thorium-bearing rock that has had most
of the thoriumremoved from it is called ‘depleted’ ore or tailings.

Thorium

7440-29-1: Thorium is a silvery-white, radioactive metallic element with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is part of the actinide series and is known for its relatively high density and melting point. Thorium is primarily found in nature as thorium dioxide (ThO2) and is often extracted from minerals such as monazite. One of its notable characteristics is its ability to undergo alpha decay, which contributes to its radioactivity. Thorium has a number of potential applications, particularly in nuclear energy, as it can be used as a fuel in nuclear reactors, offering advantages such as a higher thermal conductivity and a lower risk of nuclear proliferation compared to uranium. Additionally, thorium is less toxic than many other heavy metals, making it an attractive option for various industrial applications. However, handling thorium requires caution due to its radioactive properties, necessitating appropriate safety measures to mitigate exposure. Overall, thorium presents both opportunities and challenges in the fields of energy and materials science.

CAS 7440-29-1

Thorium