Promethium
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Promethium is not known to exist in the earth's crust but a sample was extracted during processing of atomic reactor fuel waste in 1963. Promethium salts luminesce in the dark because they are radioactive. Promethium is one of the rare earth elements.[1]
| 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. |