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What is Radium? Origin / Meaning of the name Radium
The name originates from
the Latin word radius meaning ray because of its massive
ray-emitting power.
What is Radium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Radium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Radium
is classified
as an "Alkaline Earth Metals" which are located in Group 2
elements of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as an
Alkaline Earth Metals are found in the Earth’s crust, but not in
the elemental form as they are so reactive. Instead, they are
widely distributed in rock structures. Nearly 75%
of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as
metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Common properties of Alkaline Earth metals
The elements classed as "Alkaline Earth metals" have the following
properties in common:
-
Shiny
Solids
-
Two
electrons in the outer shell
-
Can conduct
heat or electricity
-
Can be
formed into sheets
Facts about the History of the Discovery of discovery
of Radium
Element
In 1896 the French scientist Becquerel observed that the
mineral pitchblende possesses certain remarkable properties. It
affects photographic plates even in complete darkness, and
discharges a gold-leaf electroscope when brought close to it. Radium was discovered by
Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie in 1898 in pitchblende
found in Joachimsthal, North Bohemia. The Curies removed uranium
from the pitchblend and found that the remaining material was
still radioactive. She succeeded in extracting from it a very
small quantity of a substance containing a new element which she
named radium. Radium was isolated into its pure metal by
Marie and Pierre Curie and Andre Debierne in 1902. In 1910 Madam
Curie succeeded in obtaining radium itself by the electrolysis
of radium chloride. Handling of
radium has since been blamed for Marie Curie's premature death.
What is Radium? Occurrence of the Radium Element
Obtained from uranium ores
Found in USA, Canada, New Mexico, Australia and Africa
Abundance of
Radium
% in Universe N/A
% in Sun N/A
% in Meteorites N/A
% in Earth's Crust 9.9×10-12%
% in Oceans 1×10-15%
% in Humans 1×10-13%
Medical Uses of
Radium - Health and Treatments
Interesting information on
the Medical Uses of Radium, Health and Treatments. Radium salts
have been used as radiation sources in the treatment of cancer
but are gradually being replaced in such therapy by
cobalt and
cesium. Radium is used in
radiation therapy for malignant diseases, particularly those
that are readily accessible, such as cancer tumors of the cervix
uteri, mouth, or tongue. In the form of needles it can be
inserted in the cancerous tissue and left in place until its
rays penetrate and destroy malignant cells. Radium can also be
used in the form of plaques applied to the diseased tissue.
Radium rays have been used in the treatment of eczema,
psoriasis, xanthoma and other skin diseases.
Uses of Radium
Treating cancer
Luminescent paints
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