Element 89

Actinium (Ac)

Actinide · Period 7 · f-block

Actinium (Ac) is element 89 of the periodic table, a actinide in period 7 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 227 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
89
Symbol
Ac
Atomic mass
227 u
Category
Actinides
Period
7
Block
f-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p6 6d1 7s2
Shorthand configuration
[Rn] 6d1 7s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 9, 2
Oxidation states
+2, +3

Physical properties

Melting point
1323 K
Boiling point
3471 K
Density
10.07 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.1
Atomic radius
195 pm
Covalent radius
215 pm
First ionization energy
499 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
33 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Ac-227227.02775Half-life 21.8 years

Common uses

  • Neutron source
  • Cancer treatment research
  • Thermoelectric generators

Discovery

Year
1899
Discovered by
André-Louis Debierne
Country
France

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