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thallium

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Thallium is a chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81. It is a group 13 element, meaning it is in the same group as aluminium, gallium, and indium.

Thallium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is very toxic. It is also a very rare element, with only about 0.7 parts per million of it found in the Earth's crust.

Thallium is used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Making photocells: Thalllium is used in photocells because it can convert light into electricity.
  • Making low-melting point alloys: Thalllium is used in low-melting point alloys because it lowers the melting point of the alloy.
  • Making rat poison: Thalllium is used in rat poison because it is very toxic to rats.

Thallium is a very dangerous element. It can be absorbed through the skin, lungs, and digestive tract. Exposure to thallium can cause a variety of health problems, including nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and even death.

How can the word be used?

Thallium was first discovered in the green residue of sulfuric acid production.

thallium

Different forms of the word

Noun:

a chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly toxic.

Adjective:

relating to or containing thallium.

Etymology

The word "thallium" comes from the Greek word "thallos", which means "green shoot".

The first recorded use of the word "thallium" in English was in 1861.

The word "thallium" is a New Latin word, which means that it was created by scientists. It is derived from the Greek word "thallos".

Question

What can thallium be used for?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Discuss the properties and uses of thallium in the field of medicine. Explain how thallium compounds are utilised in nuclear medicine procedures and their role in diagnosing certain medical conditions. Provide an example of a medical application where thallium is commonly employed.

Answer:

Thallium, a chemical element with atomic number 81, finds important applications in the field of medicine, particularly in nuclear medicine procedures. Thallium compounds, such as thallium-201 chloride, are used as radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging.

In nuclear medicine, thallium is employed for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), a technique used to assess blood flow to the heart muscle. Thallium-201 is injected into a patient's bloodstream and is taken up by healthy heart tissue. By tracking the distribution of thallium-201 using a gamma camera, doctors can identify regions of the heart with reduced blood flow, indicating potential blockages or damage to coronary arteries.

Thallium's use in MPI allows for non-invasive evaluation of heart health, helping diagnose conditions such as coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (heart attack). This imaging technique aids in guiding treatment decisions and monitoring patient progress.

Thallium's role in nuclear medicine exemplifies how elements can be harnessed for medical advancements. Its application in diagnosing cardiovascular conditions underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in improving patient care and medical outcomes.