The full form of "At" in chemistry is Astatine.
Understanding Astatine
Astatine (At) is a chemical element with an atomic number of 85. It's a fascinating element because of its scarcity and unique properties:
- Rarity: Astatine is the rarest naturally occurring element on Earth. It exists primarily as a product of the radioactive decay of heavier elements.
- Radioactive: All isotopes of astatine are radioactive and have short half-lives. The most stable isotope, astatine-210, has a half-life of just 8.1 hours.
- Symbol: Its chemical symbol is "At".
Key Properties of Astatine
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol | At |
| Atomic Number | 85 |
| Radioactivity | All isotopes are radioactive. |
| Half-life | Short, with the most stable isotope (Astatine-210) having a half-life of 8.1 hours. |
| Occurrence | Rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust; found as a decay product. |
Why is Astatine Important?
Though not abundant or easy to work with, Astatine has importance:
- Scientific Research: Due to its radioactive nature and short half-life, it is primarily used for scientific research and study of element properties.
- Understanding Decay: Studying its behavior and properties helps scientists better understand radioactive decay processes.
In summary, when you see 'At' in a chemistry context, it refers to the element Astatine, a rare and radioactive element with atomic number 85.
