Protactinium | Chemistry

Gimnazija, Jesenice, Slovenia

Protectinium, 91, Gymnasium, Jesenice Slovenia

Protactinium: Protactinium is a rare earth metal; it naturally occurs in Zaire. It is one of the most expensive metals on Earth. But our inspiration, which lead to “chalk drawing”, was its radioactivity. When discussing the radioactivity, we always think of the damage from a nuclear bomb, so that is the point in the drawing. We must not forget that this precious element is also highly toxic therefore requires special handling, similar to plutonium. When we studied the data, we noticed quite a few scientists have studied this element. The identification was made in 1913, but the final name was established in 1949.The drawing was made by Jan Novak, with the help of classmates and their chemistry professor Natalija Bohinc.

Teacher: Natalija Bohinc,Gimnazija, Jesenice, Slovenia

Atomic properties*

Name:

Protactinium

Symbol:

Pa

Atomic number:

91

Atomic mass:

231.04 amu

Melting point:

1572°C

Boiling point:

No data

Density:

15.4 g/cm³

Electronegativity:

1.5

# of Isotopes:

1

State:

Solid

Colour:

Silvery-metallic**

Classification:

Metallic**

* Haynes, W. M. (2011). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 91st edition: http://www.hbcponline.com/ Retrieved April 7, 2011

** Winter, M. (2010). Home of the Periodic Table. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from Web Elements: http://www.webelements.com/