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Atomic
Number:
Atomic Weight:
Element Type:
Crystal
Structure:
Melting Point:
Boiling Point:
Critical
Temp:
Atomic Radius:
Covalent Radius:
Electronegativity:
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88
-226.0
Alkali Earth Metal
Cubic Body Centered
700.0°C = 1292.0°F = 973.15 K
°C
= °F = K
°C = °F = K
Å
(Å = Angstrom = 10-10 m)
Å
0.9 |
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Discovery
(L. radius, ray) Radium was discovered in 1898 by Mme.
Curie in the pitchblende oruraninite of North Bohemia, where
it occurs. There is about 1 g of radium in 7 tons ofpitchblende.
The element was isolated in 1911 by Mme. Curie and Debierne
by; theelectrolysis of a solution of pure radium chloride,
employing a mercury cathode; ondistillation in an atmosphere
of hydrogen this amalgam yielded the pure metal.
Sources
Originally, radium was obtained from the rich pitchblende
ore found in Joachimsthal,Bohemia. The carnotite sands of
Colorado furnish some radium, but richer ores are found
inthe Republic of Zaire and the Great Lake region of Canada.
Radium is present in alluranium minerals, and could be extracted,
if desired, from the extensive wastes of uraniumprocessing.
Large uranium deposits are located in Ontario, New Mexico,
Utah, Australia,and elsewhere.
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