The Radium page 88 Ra Radium 226.0 Radium is a rare element, discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie. It is part of the alkaline-earth group, and it is the only element in that category that is radioactive. Radium is most commonly found in pitch blade. In seven tons of pitch blade, there is one gram of Radium. In its purest form, Radium is a brilliant white, but quickly turns black when exposed to air.
Radium also dissolves in water.
There are 138 neutrons in a radium molecule, and 88 protons and electrons. It is found mostly in North Bohemia. Until the 1950's, Radium was used to treat some cancers, but soon people realized that because it resembles calcium, it was readily absorbed by teeth and bones, killing bone marrow and causing bone cancer. Radium is also used in making self-luminous paints. Copyright 1997-2001 and Disclaimer for the San Juan Unified School District.