🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Thorium
• Discovered By: Jöns Jakob Berzelius
• Year of Discovery: 1828
• Category: Actinide (Radioactive Metal)
• Group: f-block
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (silvery metal) ⚙️

Thorium is a radioactive metal found naturally in small amounts in the Earth’s crust.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Th
• Atomic Number: 90
• Atomic Mass: ~232.04 u
• Valency: +4
• Electronic Configuration: [Rn] 6d² 7s²

Thorium is chemically reactive and slowly tarnishes when exposed to air.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Thorium is weakly radioactive and has been studied as an alternative fuel for nuclear reactors — it’s safer and more abundant than uranium.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder ⚡🔨
• Thorium is about three times more abundant in the Earth’s crust than uranium 🌍
• It produces much less nuclear waste compared to uranium reactors ♻️
• Thorium-based reactors are safer and less likely to cause accidents ☢️✅
• Used in mantles for gas lamps before electric lighting was common 🔥

🔧 Common Uses

• Nuclear Fuel: Potential alternative to uranium in nuclear reactors for clean energy ♻️⚛️
• Gas Mantles: Used in camping lanterns for bright white light 🔥
• Alloys: Added to magnesium alloys to improve strength and heat resistance 🛠️
• Scientific Research: Studied for its radioactive properties and energy potential 🔬
• Radiation Sources: Used in some types of scientific instruments and detectors 🧪

📚 Conclusion

Thorium is a promising radioactive element that could play a big role in future clean energy solutions. For students, it’s an example of how science looks for safer, better ways to power our world! 🌟🔋