What is the atomic number of astatine and its uses

Atomic number of astatine is 85. It is a radioactive metal with more than one isotope. Astatine may be found as a low-level contaminant of uranium ores. It has been reported to occur in nature as the result of beta decay from radon gas generated by uranium and thorium in the ground, though these findings are disputed. It exists in trace amounts in the human body due to its entry through drinking water. The largest single application for astatine is in neutron-capture therapy (to treat cancer). It has also been used in studies of how chemical reactions occur on solid surfaces, as an analytical reagent, and as a radioactive tracer for certain elements and compounds.

Properties of astatine

1.Melting point

The Melting point is 300℃, 572℉, 573 K or 1058℃, 1293℉, 1294 K. This is the temp when 1 gram of astatine become liquid. This is because the melting point of any atomic, ionic and molecular substances depend on whether you have at least one full valence electron in the outer shell. This is due to atomic number of astatine.

2.Boiling Point

The Boiling Point of astatine is 27℃ or 55℉, 0℃ or 32℉ This is a very low boiling point because it is an ionic solid and cannot create any H-bonds to form a compound with other elements. It will always break down into its elemental form in water upon heating.

3.Vapor Pressure

The Vapor pressure is nearly the same as that of neon, the compound with the lowest vapor pressure . This is because both have very low boiling point. Since Liquid astatine at room temperature and pressure can barely be seen (just like liquid neon), and does not evaporate easily (like gas neon), so it does not have a low vapor pressure like gas neon.

4.Density

Density of astatine is 1 g/cm³ or 0.01393 lb/in³ under normal conditions. Astatine is less dense than water, but more dense than solid mercury or solid calcium chloride (1 gram to 16 g, 1 cm³ to 638 cm³). It is slightly less dense than water, solid chlorine, and solid neon.

Uses of astatine

1.In nuclear industry

When Astatine is passed through a magnetic coil, it slows down. It can also be used to generate neutrons, which are then used for neutron radiography (neutron activation analysis). It is also used in neutron-capture therapy and neutron detection methods. In some applications, the astatine itself is radioactive. For example, radioactive astatine (At) can be used to produce 4He via electron capture or β- decay from Rubidium (Rb) in their strong 81 keV gamma source.

2.In medicine

Astatine has been proposed as a treatment for cancer, but it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. It is found in small amounts in the human body as a result of the decay of naturally occurring radon and is used for treating cancer.

3.In research

Astatine is used to study molecular reactions at solid surfaces, and has been used to develop new classifications of reactions that occur at surfaces, particularly in organic chemistry when they do not fit with current knowledge. It has also been used as an analytical reagent. Astatine has even been proposed as a tracer for certain elements and compounds, such asthalinum (RaAt) for rhenium and lutetium and californium (CfAt) for californium.

4.In science education

Astatine is used in school science activities such as Atomic Spectra and Atoms of the Past. It was also the first element to be discovered by a group of "discovery scientists" who participated in several hands-on scientific experiments at the United States Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in late April 2005 to find new elements. It was said to be the last element still unknown, as it is predicted to occur naturally in small amounts and cannot be manufactured.

5.In the universe

It was found in the Big Bang and decays with a half-life of 824,000 years. The study of cosmic astatine may shed light on the history of supernovae and also reveal how metals were made in the early universe. If astatine occurs naturally on Earth it must have been brought by a meteorite, as no natural nuclear processes are known that would produce this element. The reason for this is that only about 0.

In conclusion, atomic number of astatine is 85. This is the case when there is no charge on the nucleus. This is the case because 85 is the number of protons in astatine. Astatine exists in trace amounts in humans and forms when radon gas undergoes alpha decay. Although present, it is not required for survival and excess amounts may bring about harmful effects.