Technetium
Technetium, element #43, is the first radioactive/synthetic element,
and it really has NO purpose. Its most stable isotope has an atomic
mass of 98 amu, and a density of 11.5 g/cm cubed. Its electron levels are
2-8-18-13-2, and has a valence of +7. It is a member of group 7B, and was discovered in 1937 by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segre of Italy.
Tc melts at 2203.85 degrees C, and boils at 4264.85 degrees C. Tc was originally
called "masurium," but was renamed "technetium," meaning "artificial." Tc was discovered
in a sample of molybdenum which was bombarded with deuterons. Tc is present in stellar matter, and there are 16 known isotopes. Tc most
closely resembles rhenium in its properties. Though Tc does not dissolve in any dtrength of hydrochloric acid, it does
dissolve in nitric acid, aqua regia, (see gold)
and concentrated sulfuric acid.
June 19, 1997
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