Thorium-232
Thorium-232[edit | edit source]
Thorium-232 is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of the element thorium. It is the most stable isotope of thorium, with a half-life of approximately 14 billion years, which is longer than the age of the Earth. Thorium-232 is a fertile material, meaning it can be converted into a fissile material, such as uranium-233, through the process of neutron capture and subsequent beta decay.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Thorium-232 is a heavy metal with an atomic number of 90 and an atomic mass of 232.0381 u. It is a member of the actinide series in the periodic table. Thorium is a silvery metal that tarnishes black when exposed to air, forming thorium dioxide (ThO_). It is moderately hard, malleable, and has a high melting point of 1750 °C.
Decay Chain[edit | edit source]
Thorium-232 undergoes radioactive decay through a series of alpha and beta decays, eventually leading to the stable isotope lead-208. This decay series is known as the thorium series or the 4n decay chain. The decay chain of thorium-232 includes several intermediate radioactive isotopes, such as radium-228, actinium-228, and thorium-228.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Thorium-232 has potential applications in nuclear energy. It can be used in thorium fuel cycles to breed uranium-233, which is a fissile material that can be used in nuclear reactors. This process has the potential to provide a more abundant and safer source of nuclear fuel compared to traditional uranium-based fuel cycles.
Safety and Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
Thorium-232 is radioactive and must be handled with care to avoid exposure. It poses a risk of radiation exposure, particularly through inhalation or ingestion of dust containing thorium. However, thorium is less hazardous than other radioactive materials, such as plutonium.
The mining and processing of thorium can lead to environmental contamination if not managed properly. It is important to follow strict safety protocols to minimize the release of radioactive materials into the environment.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
