Promethium

Promethium
Properties
Atomic symbol	Pm
Atomic number	61
Classification	Metallic
Atomic mass	145 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery	1945
Name of discoverer	J.A. Marinsky, L.E. Glendenin and C.D. Coryell
Name origin	From Prometheus who stole the fire of the sky and gave it to mankind.
Uses	Used in highly specialized miniature batteries.
Obtained from	All the promethium originally present when the Earth formed has disappeared due to radioactive decay. Only very small trace amounts are found in uranium ores as a product of nuclear fission.

Promethium is not known to exist in the earth's crust but a sample was extracted during processing of nuclear reactor fuel waste in 1963. Promethium salts glow in the dark because they are radioactive. Promethium is one of the rare earth elements.