Radium, a rare and highly radioactive element, stands as one of the most fascinating discoveries in the world of chemistry. As a member of the alkaline earth metals, it holds a significant position in the periodic table. With its glowing properties and history intertwined with some of the most notable scientific discoveries, radium has left an indelible mark on the world. In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about radium: from its chemical and physical properties to its discovery, interesting facts, and applications. Atomic Structure of Radium Symbol: Ra Atomic Number: 88 Atomic Mass: 226.0254 u Period: 7 Group: 2 (Alkaline earth metals) Block: s-block Electron Configuration: [Rn] 7s² Valency: 2 Radium’s electron configuration shows it has two valence electrons in the outermost shell, which gives it a typical +2 oxidation state, making it chemically similar to other alkaline earth metals like calcium, barium, and magnesium. Chemical Properties of ...