Changes

{{Element | name=Astatine | symbol=At | anumber=85 | amass=210 amu | noe=85 | class=Non-Metal | cstructure=Unknown | color=Unknown | date=1940 | discname=[[D. R. Corson]] | origname=From the Greek ''astatos''. | uses=Unknown | obtained=Man-made. }}

{{Element | name=Astatine | symbol=At | anumber=85 | amass=210 amu | noe=85 | class=Non-Metal | cstructure=Unknown | color=Unknown | date=1940 | discname=[[D. R. Corson]] | origname=From the Greek ''astatos''. | uses=Unknown | obtained=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 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.

'''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 ==

== 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.

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.