Astatine
Astatine
Astatine (pronounced /æˈstætɪn/ a-STAT-in) is a chemical element with the symbol At and atomic number 85. It is the rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust, occurring only as the decay product of various heavier elements.
Etymology
The name Astatine is derived from the Greek word 'astatos', meaning unstable, due to its highly radioactive nature.
Properties
Astatine is a member of the halogen group and is the heaviest halogen. It is usually classified as a nonmetal or a metalloid. Astatine's properties are mostly inferred due to its extreme rarity and radioactivity.
Isotopes
There are 39 known isotopes of astatine, all of which are radioactive. The most stable isotope of astatine is astatine-210, which has a half-life of 8.1 hours.
Uses
Due to its rarity and radioactivity, astatine has no significant industrial use. However, it has been used in medical research for the treatment of certain types of cancer.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Astatine
- Wikipedia's article - Astatine
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