What is the significance of cobalt?

It is an important source of gamma-rays. It is widely used in cancer treatment, as a tracer and for radiotherapy. Cobalt is found in the minerals cobaltite, skutterudite and erythrite. Important ore deposits are found in DR Congo, Canada, Australia, Zambia and Brazil.

What Thallium is used for?

Thallium is a heavy metal used in the manufacture of electronic components, optical lenses, semiconductor materials, alloys, gamma radiation detection equipment, imitation jewelry, artist’s paints, low temperature thermometers, and green fireworks.

How is thallium used in electronics?

Most thallium is used by the electronics industry in photoelectric cells. Thallium oxide is used to produce special glass with a high index of refraction, and also low melting glass that becomes fluid at about 125K. An alloy of mercury containing 8% thallium has a melting point 20°C lower than mercury alone.

Does thallium conduct electricity?

Photocells are devices that convert light into electrical energy. In some kinds of light, thallium sulfide does not conduct electricity very well. But in other kinds of light, it conducts very well.

What are 3 things cobalt is used for?

Uses of Cobalt Cobalt is used in alloys for aircraft engine parts and in alloys with corrosion/wear resistant uses. Cobalt is widely used in batteries and in electroplating. Cobalt salts are used to impart blue and green colors in glass and ceramics. Radioactive 60Co is used in the treatment of cancer.

What are 3 uses of cobalt?

Cobalt is used in many alloys (superalloys for parts in gas turbine aircrafr engines, corrosion resistant alloys, high-speed steels, cemented carbides), in magents and magnetic recording media, as catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries, as drying agents for paints and inks.

Is thallium banned?

Thallium was used historically as a rodenticide, but has since been banned in the United States due to its toxicity from accidental exposure.

What is thallium symbol?

TlThallium / Symbol

thallium (Tl), chemical element, metal of main Group 13 (IIIa, or boron group) of the periodic table, poisonous and of limited commercial value.

Is thallium used in fireworks?

Thallium is a heavy metal whose salts are used in some rodent poisons and in the manufacture of optical lenses, semiconductors, scintillation counters, low temperature thermometers, and switching devices, green coloured fireworks, and imitation jewelery, and as chemical catalysts.

How much does thallium cost?

Commercial thallium metal (99%) costs about $40/lb.

Does thallium react with water?

Thallium seems not to react with air-free water. Thallium metal tarnishes slowly in moist air or dissolves in water to give poisonous thallium(I) hydroxide.

How reactive is thallium?

Thallium metal forms a brownish black oxide on exposure to air. Thallium is highly reactive, readily soluble in acids, and forms monovalent thallous and trivalent thallic salts, the latter being less stable (Lee, 1971).

What are 6 interesting facts about cobalt?

10 Facts About Cobalt

• 1) Pure Cobalt Cannot be Found in Nature.
• 2) Cobalt is Named After Mythical Goblins.
• 3) We’ve Used Cobalt Dye Since Ancient Times.
• 4) Cobalt is Prized for its Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries.
• 5) Cobalt is Key to Other Cutting-Edge Technology.
• 6) Cobalt is Used to Treat Cancer.

What are 5 uses of cobalt?

Cobalt is also used to make airbags in automobiles; catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries; cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools; corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys; drying agents for paints, varnishes, and inks; dyes and pigments; ground coats for porcelain enamels; high-speed …

Why is cobalt so rare?

Last year, 66 percent of the world’s cobalt came from the Congo. Congo really has a big stranglehold. It’s not necessarily as rare as a mineral, though it’s rarer than lithium or graphite or some others. It’s typically produced as a product, meaning it comes out as another material from nickel or copper mining.

What can break cobalt?

Cobalt Ore is the lowest tier of Hardmode Ore, and can spawn on the first breaking of an Altar. More will spawn on the 4th, 7th, 10th, etc destroyed Altars, albeit in decreasing amounts. Mining Cobalt Ore requires at least a Molten Pickaxe. It is immune to all types of explosions.

What happens if you touch thallium?

The classic symptoms of acute thallium toxicity are: Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within 3-4 hours of exposure. Painful and rapidly progressing peripheral neuropathies (numbness, tingling and pain, especially on the soles and palms) about 2-5 days after exposure.

What makes thallium unique?

Thallium is a malleable, soft element that can be sliced with a knife. It has a metallic luster that quickly tarnishes when exposed to air to a bluish-green color. Naturally occurring thallium is a mix of two isotopes.

What happens if you take thallium?

Studies in people who ingested large amounts of thallium over a short time have reported vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. It has caused death.

How can I get thallium?

Thallium is mainly obtained as a by-product from the smelting of copper, zinc and lead ores. Its main entry into the environment is from coal-burning and smelting where it stays in the air, water and soil for a long time.

Is thallium rare?

Thallium is not a rare element; it is 10 times more abundant than silver. The element is widely dispersed, mainly in potassium minerals such as sylvite and pollucite.

Is thallium a heavy metal?

DESCRIPTION: Thallium was discovered by Sir William Crookes in 1861. It is a soft, heavy, inelastic metal. Thallium is tasteless and odorless and has been used by murderers as a difficult to detect poison. It is found in trace amounts in the earth’s crust.

What is something unique about cobalt?

Interesting Facts about Cobalt Cobalt was the first metal to be discovered since prehistoric times and the first metal with a recorded discoverer. Cobalt-60 is used to create gamma rays which are used to treat cancer and to sterilize medical supplies. Too much or too little cobalt in the body can cause health issues.

How strong is cobalt?

Made from a highly durable alloy, cobalt is four times harder than platinum while at the same time, less dense. Because of its natural hardness, cobalt jewelry is extremely scratch, chip and corrosion-resistant. Its lower density and natural malleability allow for strong, dynamic designs with less weight.