Periodic Table Guide
Radium (Ra) has atomic number 88 and is classified as a alkaline earth metal. It sits in Group 2, period 7 of the periodic table. Its practical relevance includes research and historical radiotherapy applications, now limited by major radiological hazards.
Quick facts
Position in the periodic table
Alkaline earth metals are reactive s-block metals that commonly form +2 ions. Their compounds are important in construction, refractories, metallurgy, chemicals and biological systems.
Radium belongs to period 7. Its position helps explain recurring trends such as atomic size, bonding behavior, oxidation states and the way it interacts with neighboring elements.
Why Radium matters
In engineering and technology, radium is associated with research and historical radiotherapy applications, now limited by major radiological hazards. The importance of the element may come from the pure element itself, from compounds containing it, or from its role as an alloying, electronic, catalytic or nuclear material.
Engineering and scientific context
Material behavior should never be inferred from the element name alone. Purity, isotope composition, crystal structure, processing history, temperature and the surrounding chemical environment can all change performance. In alloys and compounds, the contribution of radium depends on concentration and interaction with the other constituents.
Safety and handling
Radium is radioactive, so any practical work involving it requires specialist radiological controls, approved facilities and isotope-specific procedures.
Related elements
Beryllium (Be) · Magnesium (Mg) · Calcium (Ca) · Francium (Fr)
Reference sources
For authoritative element data and current standard atomic-weight guidance, consult the Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table and the IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements.
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