Question

How many Actinides are found in Nature?

Answer 1

Hint: The additional actinides found in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators were produced synthetically. Thorium and uranium are the only actinides in significant quantities in the earth's crust; however, uranium ores occasionally include trace amounts of neptunium and plutonium.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Thorium, protactinium, uranium, neptunium, and plutonium are the five actinides identified in nature. Actinium and protactinium are substances created during the disintegration of various thorium and uranium isotopes.

Most of the elements in the category of actinides, with a few exceptions like uranium and thorium, are synthetic. The uranium and plutonium components of actinides are well known for their employment in nuclear reactors and explosives. The primary reason actinides are valuable is that they are radioactive. These substances can be utilised as energy sources for various devices, including cardiac pacemakers and equipment that generates electricity. Uranium and plutonium have been utilised in nuclear power reactors and weapons. One of the three natural radioactive elements, Actinium, was discovered in 1858 by the French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel. It was then named after the mythological Greek god Actaeon, who was turned into a stag by Artemis after he had seen her bathing.

Note: Actinides are a group of radioactive metals found in nature. They are also known as rare-earth metals. Actinides can be found in many places worldwide, including soil, rocks, and water. Sixteen have been discovered.