Thallium's atomic mass is 204.4, it has 25 isotopes. Thallium is odorless, tasteless, and poisonous. Thallium is used to exterminate rodents and ants. Thallium activated soudiam iodide crystals on a photomultiplier tubes are used in a few scintillition counter to detect gamma radition. Thallium alloyed with mercury forms a fluid metal that freezes at -60 degrees it boils at 1746 degrees and melts at 577 degrees.
Thallium forms a hydroxide in water and is soluble in nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
Thallium has a high index of refraction and is important in the manufacture of several types of optical glass. Thalliumis 60th in abundance among the elements in the crust of the earth and is realted to the aluminum family of metals. There are a few deposits of thallium-rich pyrites in Sweden on the former Yugolsalv Rpublic of Macedonia . Copyright 1997-2001 and Disclaimer for the San Juan Unified School District. All Rights Reserved.