Radium (Ra)
Tap related elements to compare trends across group and period.
Physical Properties
How this element behaves in real-world conditions.
- State (25°C)
- Solid
- Density
- 5.5 g/cm³
- Melting Point
- 700 °C
- Boiling Point
- 1737 °C
Atomic Structure
Core identity and periodic table positioning.
Electromagnetic Properties
How this element attracts and exchanges electrons.
- Electronegativity
- 0.9
- Ionization Energy
- 5.279 eV
- Electron Affinity
- 0.1 eV
- Metallic Character
- Metal
Hero / Identity Section
Core identity profile for Radium with periodic placement and electron context.
- Element Name
- Radium
- Symbol
- Ra
- Atomic Number
- 88
- Atomic Mass
- 226
- Group
- 2
- Period
- 7
- Block
- S
- Category
- Alkaline Earth
- Standard State
- Solid
- Electron Configuration (Full)
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2
- Electron Configuration (Noble Gas)
- [Rn] 7s2
- Valence Electrons
- 2
Quick Facts Card (Table Layout)
Fast-reference values for physical and energetic properties.
Visual Components
Visual learning views for table position, shells, orbitals, and phase behavior.
Highlighted Position in Periodic Table Grid
Row 7, Column 2
Bohr Model Diagram
Educational shell model for electron arrangement.
Electron Shell Diagram
- K shell2
- L shell8
- M shell18
- N shell32
- O shell18
- P shell8
- Q shell2
Orbital Configuration Diagram
Phase Illustration
Solid
Solid lattice
Atomic Structure Section
Nuclear composition and electron shielding interpretation.
- Protons
- 88
- Neutrons (Most Abundant Isotope Estimate)
- 138
- Electrons
- 88
- Electron Configuration Breakdown
- 2 • 8 • 18 • 32 • 18 • 8 • 2
- Shielding Explanation
- Core electrons (~86) shield part of the nucleus, reducing attraction felt by outer electrons compared with the full nuclear charge.
- Effective Nuclear Charge (Estimate)
- 2
Chemical Properties Section
Category-guided chemistry behavior with periodic context for comparison.
- Common Oxidation States
- +2 (dominant)
- Reactivity Summary
- Reactive metals, generally less reactive than alkali metals but still oxidation-prone.
- Acid/Base Behavior
- Typically forms basic oxides/hydroxides with variable solubility.
- Bonding Behavior
- Commonly ionic compounds with nonmetals.
- Typical Compounds
- Oxides, Carbonates, Sulfates
- Periodic Trend Comparison (Group Neighbors)
- Compared with Ba, this element is lower in the group and typically has a larger atomic size and lower ionization tendency.
Isotopes & Nuclear Data
Isotope stability and abundance notes for learning-oriented nuclear context.
- Stable Isotopes
- No fully stable isotopes are known for this element.
- Radioactive Isotopes
- All known isotopes are radioactive.
- Natural Abundance (%)
- Usually trace-level or synthetic; natural abundance is limited.
- Half-life (If Applicable)
- Half-life varies by isotope and should be checked from isotope-specific references.
- Nuclear Spin (Optional Advanced)
- Advanced isotope-level data is not included in the current core dataset.
- Most Abundant Isotope (Estimate)
- Ra-226
Applications & Uses
How this element appears in industry, biology, medicine, and technology.
- Industrial Uses
- Used in construction materials, metallurgy, pyrotechnics, and ceramics.
- Biological Role
- Several members play major structural/signaling roles in organisms.
- Medical Use
- Certain salts are used in antacids, supplements, and contrast applications.
- Technological Relevance
- Important in alloys, refractory materials, and process chemistry.
- Environmental Impact
- Widely occurring in minerals; some forms can drive hardness and alkalinity shifts.
Safety & Handling
General hazard guidance for educational reference and lab awareness.
- Toxicity
- Elemental forms may irritate/react; many salts are low hazard but dose dependent.
- Flammability
- Finely divided forms can be combustible; bulk forms are less flammable.
- Storage Considerations
- Keep dry and separate from strong acids and oxidizers.
- Regulatory Classification
- Classification depends strongly on compound form and exposure pathway.