Protactinium
Actinide · atomic number 91
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PaProtactinium
Protactinium is a chemical element with symbol Pa and atomic number 91. It is a dense, silvery-gray metal which readily reacts with oxygen, water vapor and inorganic acids. It forms various chemical compounds where protactinium is usually present in the oxidation state +5, but can also assume +4 and even +2 or +3 states.
Properties of Protactinium
| Element category | Actinide |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 91 |
| Atomic mass | 231.035882 u |
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f2 6d1 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 20, 9, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.5 |
| Melting point | 1841 K (1568 °C) |
| Boiling point | 4300 K (4027 °C) |
| Density | 15.37 g/cm3 |
| Discovered by | William Crookes |
| Named by | Otto Hahn |
← Thorium · Periodic table · Uranium → U
About the actinide group
Mostly radioactive, heavy metals — several made only in reactors — whose fission powers nuclear energy and weapons.
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