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Protactinium (Pa)

Element with atomic number 91, category: Actinide, a solid at room temperature.

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Element 91 of 118

Actinide

Pa

Protactinium

Group 5, Period 7 (actinide series)

Atomic Number
91
Atomic Mass
231.036 u
State at Room Temperature
Solid

Common Uses

Radioactive

Electron Diagram

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About Protactinium

Protactinium is a chemical element with the symbol Pa and atomic number 91, meaning every atom has 91 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Actinide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 231.036 atomic mass units (u).

On the periodic table, Protactinium sits in group 5, period 7 (actinide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.

Uses of Protactinium

In daily life and industry, Protactinium is used for Radioactive. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Actinide category.

Electron Structure of Protactinium

Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Protactinium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 31 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.

Explore Other Elements

Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The chemical symbol of Protactinium is Pa, with atomic number 91 and an atomic mass of about 231.036 u.
Protactinium is in the Actinide category and is a solid at room temperature.
Protactinium is in group 5, period 7 (actinide series) of the periodic table.
Protactinium is commonly used for Radioactive.
Using the simplified Bohr model, Protactinium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 31 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost.