Actinide Series
Introduction
The actinide series comprises the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers from 89 to 103, actinium through lawrencium. The series is named after actinium, the first element in the series, which is often included in the actinide series, although its placement is not always consistent.
Characteristics
The actinide series is characterized by its members' large atomic and ionic sizes, complex crystal structures, and high electrical resistivity. These elements are all radioactive and exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties.
History
The discovery of the actinide series is attributed to Friedrich Oskar Giesel, who first isolated actinium in 1902. The remaining elements in the series were discovered and isolated in the following decades, with the last, lawrencium, being synthesized in 1961.
Occurrence
Actinides are found in trace amounts in nature, with the exception of uranium and thorium, which are relatively abundant. The other actinides are produced synthetically in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.
Production
The production of actinides involves nuclear reactions in reactors or accelerators, followed by chemical separation processes. The most common method is neutron bombardment of uranium or plutonium in a nuclear reactor.
Uses
Actinides have various uses in industry, medicine, and research. For example, uranium and plutonium are used as fuel in nuclear reactors, while americium is used in smoke detectors.
Health and Environmental Effects
Exposure to actinides can have serious health effects due to their radioactivity. They can also have significant environmental impacts if released into the environment.
Future Research
Research into the actinide series continues to yield new insights into their properties and potential applications. This includes research into their use in advanced nuclear reactors and potential medical applications.