| Origin of Name |
After Thor, the Scandinavian god of
thunder |
| Date and Place of Discovery |
In 1828 in Sweden |
| Discovered by |
Jöns Jacob Berzelius |
| Common Compounds |
|
| Interesting facts |
- It is not highly radioactive.
- It is found in small amounts in rocks and soils.
- It is about three times more abundant than uranium and about
as common as lead.
- About 25% of the world's thorium is found in India.
- It is a silvery white metal which maintains its luster for several months unless it is
exposed to oxygen and then it eventually turns black.
- It decays very slowly.
- It is being considered as an alternate nuclear fuel to uranium.
|
| Common Uses |
- An alloy element with magnesium
- A coating of tungsten wire in electronic equipment
- Tungsten arc welding
- Heat-resistant ceramics
- Fuel cycles in nuclear reactors
- Radiation shields
- Mantles in gas lights
- Crucibles
- Glasses with a high refractive index and low dispersion
- Lenses for cameras and scientific instruments
- Catalysts
- X-ray diagnostics
|
