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Periodic Table

 
 
Elemental Facts: 
Symbol
 At
Atomic Number
 85
Atomic Mass
 210
Electron Configuration
2.8.18.32.18.7 
[Xe]6s24f145d166p5
Valence Number 7
Melting Point 575°K, 302°C, 576°F
Boiling Point 610°K, 337°C, 639°F 
Family
 17
Series
 6
Element Classification
 Halogen
Density
 Unknown
Crystal Structure Unknown
State of Matter
 Solid
Date of Discovery
 1940
Person Who Discovered Dale R. Corson
Kenneth R. Mckenzie
Emilio G. Segre
A recording of the detection of 
astatine in the notebook of Dale R. Corson.
Historical Facts and Elements Uses:
     Astatine is the heaviest member of the halogen family of chemical elements.  This extremely unstable element is radioactive and all 30 of its isotopes experience radioactive decay.  Its most stable isotope has a half-life of 8.3 hours.  Astatine behaves much like other halogens, particularly iodine, but has more marked metallic properties than does iodine.  It loses electrons in a chemical reaction more readily than iodine and is less likely to gain electrons. 
     Astatine is found naturally in trace quantities in uranium ores, but the total amount of it in the earth's crust is less than 1 oz.  Most of it is created artificially.  It is produced in a cyclotron by bombarding bismuth with high energy alpha particles.  There is no known use of this element.

 
Bibliography:
"Astatine," Collier's Encyclopedia.  1996: Vol. 3, p.97.
"Astatine," Elements Alphabetical Listing.  http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/resource/ptable/at.html (Dec. 12, 2001).
"Astatine," Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.  1974: 61st Edition, p. B-7.
"Astatine," Los Alamos Laboratories Periodic Table.  19 Dec. 1997. http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/elements/85.html,              (3 Dec. 2001). 
"Astatine," World Book 2001.  2001: Vol. 1, p. 97.

 
Periodic Table Links

 
Created By:
 Brad
Last Updated:
 12-13-01