Page 123 - The Periodic Table Book

91

Pa Protactinium 91 91 140

This vibrant green
radioactive mineral contains
tiny amounts of protactinium. Actinides

State: Solid
Discovery: 1913

A Geiger counter measures
the sample’s radioactivity.

This bottle
contains a
protactinium
sample.

Protactinium
research

The name protactinium means “before
actinium”. This is because a uranium atom
decays to form a protactinium atom, which
then quickly breaks down into an actinium atom.
Small quantities of protactinium are found in
This brittle, ancient sands and mud. Geologists use Geiger
shiny ore
feels waxy. counters to carry out research to calculate
how old the sands are.

These used nuclear fuel
rods contain protactinium.

121
Torbernite Nuclear waste 121

120-121_Ac_Th_Pa.indd 121 12/12/16 6:35 pm