Protactinium (Pa): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D
Protactinium is element 91 on the periodic table, an actinide, so it is a metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.
Explore in 3DProtactinium quick facts
| Atomic number | 91 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pa |
| Atomic mass | 231.036 |
| Category | Actinide |
| Series and period | Actinides, period 7 |
| Block | f-block |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f² 6d¹ 7s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 20, 9, 2 |
| Discovered | 1913, Fajans |
What is protactinium used for?
- Scientific research only
- Nuclear physics studies
- Decay chain studies
Interesting facts about protactinium
- Protactinium is rare, toxic, radioactive and has no practical applications. One of the least useful elements
- Named for being the parent of actinium in the decay chain
- Only about 125 g has ever been isolated. The UK extracted it from 60 tonnes of nuclear waste in 1961
Protactinium was discovered in 1913 by Fajans in Germany.
Where protactinium sits on the periodic table
Protactinium is in the actinide series (period 7). Tap any element to open its page.
Other actinides
Protactinium questions
What is the atomic number of protactinium?
Protactinium has atomic number 91, so every protactinium atom has 91 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Pa and its atomic mass is 231.036.
Is protactinium a metal?
Protactinium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as an actinide, found in the actinide series (period 7).
What is the electron configuration of protactinium?
The electron configuration of protactinium is [Rn] 5f² 6d¹ 7s². Its electrons sit in 7 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 20, 9, 2.
What is protactinium used for?
Protactinium is used for scientific research only, nuclear physics studies and decay chain studies.
Who discovered protactinium?
Protactinium was discovered in 1913 by Fajans in Germany.
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