Protactinium
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Description
A dense, radioactive, metallic element. Protactinium is one of the rarest and most expensive naturally occurring elements. It is an α-emitter and is a radiological hazard similar to polonium. Protactinium is a natural decay product of U238 and occurs as a constituent of uranium ores. As a metal, it is silvery, ductile and malleable. It is found primarily as an intermediate in breeder reactors.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Pa; protoactinium
Risks
- Highly toxic radioactive material.
- Dangerous by ingestion, inhalation and contact.
Physical and Chemical Properties
| Composition | Pa (atomic no. 91) |
|---|---|
| CAS | 7440-13-3 |
| Melting Point | 1560-1575 C |
| Density | 15.37 g/ml |
| Molecular Weight | atomic wt = 231.0359 |
| Boiling Point | 4227 C |
Resources and Citations
- Web Elements: link