Hello and welcome to Teach Kids Chemistry! Today, we will be discussing the fascinating element known as thallium. Thallium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust. It has a unique set of properties that make it useful in a variety of applications, from electronics to medicine. Join us as we explore the basics of thallium and its role in the world of chemistry.
The Periodic Element Thallium Overview
Thallium is a chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81. It is a soft, gray post-transition metal that is not found free in nature. Thallium has an atomic mass of 204.38 u and its most stable isotope has 123 neutrons. It has 81 protons and 81 electrons in its neutral state. Thallium is located in period 6 and group 13 of the periodic table. It is a metal and has a melting point of 304°C and a boiling point of 1,473°C. Thallium has a density of 11.85 g/cm³ and a specific heat capacity of 0.129 J/g·K. Its electronegativity is 1.62.Thallium is a highly toxic element and has no known biological role. It was discovered in 1861 by Sir William Crookes and was named after the Greek word “thallos,” meaning “a green shoot or twig.” Thallium has a variety of uses, including in the production of electronic devices, optical lenses, and medical imaging agents. It is also used in the manufacture of infrared detectors and as a component in high-temperature superconductors. Despite its usefulness, thallium is highly toxic and exposure to it can cause a range of health problems, including nerve damage, gastrointestinal problems, and hair loss.
Everyday objects that contain the periodic element thallium?
There are many everyday objects that contain chemicals or compounds that can be used to teach chemistry concepts. For example, water is a compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, and can be used to teach about chemical formulas and the properties of compounds. Salt, which is made up of sodium and chlorine ions, can be used to teach about ionic bonding and the properties of solutions. Baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate, can be used to teach about chemical reactions and the properties of acids and bases. Other examples include vinegar, which is acetic acid, and aspirin, which is acetylsalicylic acid. By using everyday objects that contain chemicals, students can learn about chemistry concepts in a simple and relatable way.
Differences in the periodic element thallium across states of matter
The state of an element can vary greatly depending on its temperature and pressure. At standard temperature and pressure (STP), most elements are either solids or gases. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, while gases have neither. As temperature and pressure increase, some solids can become liquids, which have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container. As temperature and pressure continue to increase, some liquids can become gases, which have neither a fixed shape nor volume. At extremely high temperatures and pressures, some gases can become plasmas, which are highly ionized and conductive. Plasmas are often found in stars and lightning bolts, and have unique properties such as the ability to emit light.
Is the periodic element thallium dangerous or radioactive?
Thallium is a chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81. It is a soft, malleable, and highly toxic metal that is not radioactive. Thallium and its compounds are used in various applications, including electronics, medical imaging, and as a rat poison. However, due to its toxicity, thallium is not commonly used in everyday products. Exposure to thallium can cause a range of health effects, including neurological damage, hair loss, and gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, it is important to handle thallium and its compounds with care and follow proper safety protocols.
Is the periodic element thallium rare and expensive?
Thallium is not considered a rare or expensive element. It is a moderately abundant element in the Earth’s crust, with an abundance of approximately 0.7 parts per million. Thallium is primarily obtained from the smelting of lead and zinc ores, and it is also found in some copper and gold ores. The current market price for thallium is around $30-$40 per gram, which is relatively inexpensive compared to other elements such as gold or platinum. However, thallium is a highly toxic element and must be handled with extreme care.
Learn about all the elements with a periodic table!