Astatine

Astatine
Properties
Atomic symbol	At
Atomic number	85
Classification	Non-Metal
Atomic mass	210 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery	1940
Name of discoverer	D. R. Corson
Name origin	From the Greek astatos.
Uses	Unknown
Obtained from	Man-made.

Astatine is extremely rare in nature, and in fact, there is only about an ounce (about a teaspoonful) in the earth's crust at any one moment. It may be prepared in the lab, but still only in very small quantities. Not much is known about the physical properties of astatine because of its rarity and short half-life. One may speculate that it would react similarly to iodine, and following the periodic trend, astatine would presumably sublimate into a dark purple or blue gas, and have a dark metallic luster when solid.

Uses

Astatine is far too rare to have any uses, but some researchers think that astatine would behave like iodine. If so, it could be used to treat certain diseases of the thyroid, such as thyroid cancer. When swallowed, the astatine would go to the thyroid. There, the radiation it gives off would kill cancer cells in the gland.