Thorium's atomic number is 90 on the periodic table. Containing 90 protons and electrons and 142 neutrons, thorium occurs naturally in the earth's crust and is 39th in abundance. The monazite sands of India, Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, and the U.S. contain the main deposits of thorium oxide. Thorium has a half life of approximately 14 billion years and is the first member in the radio active-decay series. It has a boiling point of 4788 degrees Celsius and thorium oxide has a melting point of 3300 degrees Celsius, the highest of all oxides.
Thorium is used in several different ways.
When thorium is heated in air it burns with a brilliant white light and is currently being used in portable gas lights. Thorium is also used to coat tungsten wires in electronic equipment and is being tested as a possible atomic fuel source because it is three times greater than coal, oil, and natural gas reserves.