Promethium

Promethium is a rare-earth metal known for being the only lanthanide with no stable isotopes.

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Questions	Answers
Atomic Number	61
Atomic Symbol	Pm
Atomic Mass	145
Period	6
Density	7.26 g/cm³
Appearance	Silvery-white, Metallic, Glows in the dark.

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Usages

Promethium is used for highly specialized technology due to its steady emission of beta particles. Promethium is often used in Nuclear Batteries, Lunar modules, submerged submarines, and historically used in medical settings such as radiotherapy.

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The Hunt for 61: History

In 1902 Czech chemist Bohuslav Brauner predicted an unknown element with the atomic number of 61.

In 1914 Henry Moseley used specialized technology to confirm there was a missing unknown element. The race begins.

For decades after scientists claimed they found the missing element naming it things such as “Illinum”, “Florentium”, or even “Cyclonium” each discovery was eventually proven false.

During the Manhattan Project in 1945, A group of researchers made a breakthrough in isolating element 61 from the fission products of uranium fuel. Due to wartime secrecy the discovery was kept hidden until 1947.

The name originates from Grace Mary Coryell (one of the scientist’s wife), who suggested naming it after the Greek Titan Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity.