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Astatine is a chemical element with the atomic number 85 and the symbol At. It is a highly radioactive and toxic substance that is found in minute amounts in nature. Astatine is a member of the halogen group of elements, which includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

Astatine was first discovered in 1940 by two researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, who were bombarding bismuth with alpha particles. They named the element after the Greek word “astatos,” which means “unstable.” Astatine is the heaviest and most unstable of the halogen elements, and it has a half-life of only 8.1 hours.

Astatine is so rare that it has never been observed in its elemental form. It exists only in compounds, and most of the time it is found in the form of astatine-211, which is the most stable isotope of astatine. Astatine-211 decays by emitting alpha particles, which are high-energy particles that can damage living cells and cause cancer.

The most common use of astatine is in cancer treatment. Astatine-211 is used in targeted alpha-particle therapy, which is a type of radiation therapy that uses astatine-211 to deliver high doses of radiation to cancer cells. Because astatine-211 has a short half-life, it does not stay in the body for long and does not cause significant damage to healthy cells. This makes it a safer and more effective treatment for cancer than other forms of radiation therapy.

Astatine is also used in research to study the behavior of other radioactive elements. It can be used to study the properties of other elements in the halogen group, as well as other elements in the periodic table. Astatine can also be used to study the effects of radiation on living cells and tissues.

Astatine is a highly reactive element, and it can form compounds with many other elements. It can combine with hydrogen to form astatine hydride, which is a highly explosive compound. Astatine can also form compounds with other halogen elements, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. These compounds are known as astatides, and they are highly toxic and unstable.

Astatine is a very dangerous substance, and it should be handled with extreme caution. It is highly toxic and can cause severe health problems if ingested or inhaled. It should only be handled by trained professionals who are familiar with the proper safety procedures for handling radioactive materials.

QUIZ

1. What is the atomic number of astatine?
2. What is the symbol for astatine?
3. What group of elements does astatine belong to?
4. What is the most common use of astatine?
5. Is astatine a stable element?

Answers:

1. The atomic number of astatine is 85.
2. The symbol for astatine is At.
3. Astatine belongs to the halogen group of elements.
4. The most common use of astatine is in cancer treatment.
5. Astatine is not a stable element. It is highly radioactive and has a half-life of only 8.1 hours.