Atomica
89Ac[227]

Actinium

Actinides

Heavy, radioactive metals. Most of them are made only in laboratories.

[Rn] 6d¹ 7s²

Atomic number
89
Atomic mass
[227]
Protons
89
Neutrons
138
Electrons
89
Shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 9, 2
State at 25 °C
Solid
Position
Period 7, f-block
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byAndré-Louis Debierne, 1899André-Louis Debierne: 1 element

Found in uranium ore residue. The name comes from the Greek aktis, meaning ray.

Did you know?

  • It glows pale blue in the dark.
  • It gives the actinide series its name.

Where it's found

  • Uranium ores, in tiny amounts

What it's used for

  • Targeted cancer therapy
  • Neutron sources

Try it

There's no safe home experiment for Actinium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.