Promethium | Chemistry

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Promethium, 61, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Regina SK

Promethium: The colours in our tile represent the salts of the metal's colour in the dark — it gives off a greenish glow or a pale blue light. The flames portray the high energy radioactivity of this rare earth metal. It was discovered in 1945 and named after the Greek hero Prometheus. Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humankind. As punishment, Prometheus was chained to a rock for eternity. Every day his liver was eaten by an eagle and every night it grew back. The seven eagles represent the valence electrons of promethium.

Tara Goodpipe and Rose Dumont. Teacher: Joanne Mortensen, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologie, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Atomic properties*

Name:

Promethium

Symbol:

Pm

Atomic number:

61

Atomic mass:

(145) amu

Melting point:

1042°C

Boiling point:

3000°C

Density:

7.26 g/cm³

Electronegativity:

No data

# of Isotopes:

2

State:

Solid

Colour:

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/