🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Promethium
• Discovered By: Jacob Marinsky, Lawrence Glendenin, and Charles Coryell
• Year of Discovery: 1945
• Category: Lanthanide (Rare Earth Metal)
• Group: f-block
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (silvery metal, but unstable) ⚙️

Promethium is a rare, radioactive element — the only lanthanide that has no stable isotopes. It doesn’t occur naturally in large amounts, only in trace quantities.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Pm
• Atomic Number: 61
• Atomic Mass: ~145 u (varies depending on isotope)
• Valency: +3
• Electronic Configuration: [Xe] 4f⁵ 6s²

Promethium glows faintly blue in the dark due to its radioactivity! ✨

📘 Basic Things to Know

Promethium was named after Prometheus, the Greek titan who stole fire from the gods — a nod to its radioactive and glowing nature. 🔥
It was the last of the lanthanides to be discovered and is mostly produced artificially in nuclear reactors.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Promethium is so rare that only about 500–600 grams exist naturally on Earth at any time! 🌍
• It’s mostly made artificially from uranium fuel in nuclear reactors.
• Emits beta radiation, which is used in specialized tools and equipment. ☢️
• Promethium is used in devices where a steady glow or electric current is needed, like satellite batteries. 🛰️
• It is too radioactive and rare for common use in everyday items.

🔧 Common Uses

• Nuclear Batteries: Used in spacecraft and military equipment for long-lasting power. 🔋
• Luminous Paints (historically): Used in glow-in-the-dark dials and signs, but now replaced due to safety concerns. 🌌
• Thickness Gauges: Helps measure the thickness of materials using radiation. 📏
• Scientific Research: Studied in laboratories to understand nuclear decay and radiation. 🧪

📚 Conclusion

Promethium is a glowing, radioactive metal with a name rooted in myth and a role rooted in science. Though rare and too dangerous for daily use, it plays a quiet but important role in space, research, and technology. For students, it’s a perfect example of how even invisible elements can shine bright in science! ☢️🔬