What is Actinium?

Actinium is a rare and highly radioactive element. It is denoted by the symbol Ac and has an atomic number of 89.

Actinium is the first element of the actinide series in the periodic table. It occurs naturally in uranium and thorium ores. It is more than 150 times less abundant than uranium. Actinium glows pale blue in the dark due to its intense radioactivity.

Actinium Discovery

Actinium was discovered in 1899 by the German chemist Friedrich Oskar Giesel. He initially isolated it as a substance that emitted intense radiation, which glowed in the dark. Giesel named it “Actinium”. It came from the Greek word “aktinos,” meaning ray, reflecting its strong radiative powers.

In 1902, the famous French chemist André-Louis Debierne independently discovered actinium. He described it as a substance similar to titanium and (incorrectly) thorium. Later analysis confirmed that both Giesel and Debierne had discovered the same element.

Actinium Symbol

The symbol of actinium element is shown below:

Actinium is a radioactive metal with the symbol Ac and atomic number 89. It was discovered in 1902 by Friedrich Oskar Giesel. It is the first element in the actinide series on the periodic table. It is found in uranium ores and is highly radioactive. Actinium’s most common use is in the production of neutrons for research.

In this article, we will learn about the element Actinium in detail, including its discovery, properties, uses, and effects.