Promethium is a chemical element in our periodic table that takes its name from the titan Prometheus, therefore, its name comes from the Greek word Prometheus; According to mythology, Prometheus secretly stole fire from the gods and then showed it to “mortal” men until he was condemned to eternal punishment by Zeus.
Contents
The electron configuration of promethium
Prometheus Setup
1s2 2s2 2s6 3s2 3s6 3d10 4s2 4s6 4d10 5s2 5s6 4f5 5d0 6s2
With orbitals per level: 2, 8, 18, 23, 8.2.
Characteristic
Some of the features of this item are:
- The natural state of this element is solid.
- Its chemical symbol is pm.
- It is a chemical element with a metallic appearance.
- It has a melting point of 1100 0C
- It has a boiling point of 3000 0C.
- It is a very radioactive element.
Atomic properties of promethium
To know the atomic mass of an element, let us know that it is determined by the total mass that can be found in an element of protons and neutrons; It has an atomic mass of 145u.
On the other hand, in the periodic table, we can find this element in period 6, block f. Promethium has an atomic radius of 205 pm; also called Bohr radius. It has an average radius of 185 pm.
It has 61 electrons distributed as follows:
- 2 electrons in the first shell.
- 8 electrons in the second shell.
- 18 electrons in the third.
- 23 electrons in the fourth.
- 8 electrons in the fifth.
- 2 electrons in the sixth.
Physical and chemical properties
- Many properties of this element are unknown. However, it is known to be a radioactive element.
- It has salts that change color (they go from light blue to light green).
- It has no stable isotopes.
Discovery of promethium
The existence of this element was predicted by Branner in 1902. Sin embargo, fue en el año 1944 que los científicos Jacob A. Mariinsky, Charles D. Coryell and Laurence E. Glendenin proved the existence of this element and claimed the mismo tres años later.
Origin of promethium
Promethium is one of the elements that we get as a result of the fusion of uranium, thorium and plutonium. Although all known isotopes of promethium are radioactive, its most stable isotope is 145Pm with a half-life of 17.7 years.
Currently we can get this element in different ways:
- By a by-product of uranium smelting.
- By bombarding Nd with neutrons.
- By capturing a neutron which will later become 147 Nd, finally transmuting by emission of alpha particles at 147 Pm.
Apps
- It is used in thickness gauges as a beta source.
- By capturing light in photoelectric cells, it is used as a powerful battery.
- It can be converted into a powerful portable x-ray and power supply.
health effects
Knowing the damage that this element can cause to the health of each of us, we must bear in mind that the promise is in equipment such as color televisions, fluorescent lamps and crystals.
The greatest danger posed by this element occurs in the places where this equipment is manufactured, since the humidity present in the environment and the gases found can be easily inhaled by the employees.
What happens when someone inhales the element? You may have pulmonary embolisms or liver problems.
Environmental effects
This element can accumulate in the ground, pass into the waters and ultimately be consumed by animals and humans when it is released into the environment as a result of the activity carried out in the petroleum industry.
Aquatic animals can develop problems with their reproduction and cell membranes, as well as problems with their nervous system functions. So far today’s topic my chemistry minds, hope you learned something new.
