What is Thorium?

Thorium (symbol, atomic number 90) is a radioactive chemical element. It is a silvery-white metal at room temperature, but easily oxidizes and occurs naturally only in oxidized form. Although Thorium is not fission, it can be kept in a nuclear reactor on a fission isotope U-233, so it has potential as a source of nuclear fuel. It is also used as a alloying element with other metals and is a primary component in gas lantern.

This element naturally occurs in the Earth's crust, at a concentration of approximately 12 ppm (roughly the same as lead and three times higher than uranium). Although Thorium is radioactive, its 14 billion -year -old half -year is so long that most of it originally on Earth is still there. Primary ore for thorium is a mineral monetize that can be weighing up to 10%; Several other minerals, such as Thorianite and Euxite, also contain a significant amount.

Although many countries have large reserves, thoriumneation is too widely mined; Its applications like metal are othe limits of its radioactivity, which is potentially dangerous if inhaled or enjoyed. Thorotrast, a compound that was once used for medical X -rays, was abandoned due to security fears. Ironically, the high density and atomic number of Thoria makes it an effective radiation shield, although more often used and exhausted uranium are used.

Thorium is not fission, so it cannot be used to produce an atomic bomb or nuclear reactor. However, when this element is inserted into a nuclear reactor, the high neutron flow causes some of them to turn into U-233, which is fission. The U-233 can then be used to maintain a nuclear reaction and convert more thorium, creating a closed nuclear fuel cycle, which makes it potentially valuable as a source of energy. Historically, the natural uranium was sufficiently cheap as fuel to make the thorium unnecessary. W. Some Governments on the increase in uranium prices developed plans for buildingthe reactors driven by Thorio in the event of a disturbance of the uranium offer; Some heavy water reactors, such as the CANDA design, can already use the element.

Before the arrival of electric lighting, Thoria coats were often used as a light source; When heated by flames, certain thoria oxide alloys will shine with dazzling white light. This glow is not related to radioactivity and comes from chemical interactions with cereal and oxygen. Unless the body is swallowed or otherwise, the tires and other Thorium products are usually quite safe for everyday use, because the alpha particles that the element emit cannot penetrate into the skin.