Thorium

Thorium
Properties
Atomic symbol	Th
Atomic number	90
Classification	Metallic
Atomic mass	232.03806 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery	1829
Name of discoverer	WJöns Berzelius
Name origin	Named after Thor, the Norse god of war.
Uses	Used in the manufacture of strong alloys and ultraviolet photoelectric cells. Can be bombarded with neutrons to make uranium-233, a nuclear fuel.
Obtained from	Found in various minerals like monazite and thorite and dispersed on pegmatite rocks.

Thorium is a radioactive, naturally occurring chemical element. The symbol for Thorium is Th and it has an atomic number of 90. It was discovered by Morten Thrane Esmark and identified by Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1828. It is named after Thor, the Norse god of war. Thorium is a viable alternative to Uranium as a fuel for nuclear reactors. The amount of long life radioactive material produced in the thorium reaction is significantly smaller than that of the uranium reaction. Another advantage over Uranium based reactors is the lack of production of weapons grade radioactive material. This means that thorium reactors can be placed in less stable countries without the fear of nuclear proliferation.