Where is radium found? Radium is found in the ore of uranium.
Two French scientists working in Paris discovered radium in 1890. Professor and Mme. Curie found this rare and precious element in a mineral pitch-blend, a black substance which also contains uranium. During a period of four years they treated six tons of this material and obtained a teaspoonful of a pure radioactive substance which they called radium.
They found that radium had many very unusual properties. It affected ordinary photographic plates, it made certain substances glow when placed in the dark, and it quickly killed off tiny dangerous organisms when placed near them.
Radium gives off powerful radioactive waves – the well-known gamma rays. These are used in the treatment of various diseases, especially in the case of cancer where “deep ray” treatment is given.
Pierre and Marie Curie were awarded the Nobel Prize for physics for their work. Professor Curie was killed in a motor accident in 1906 by Mme. Curie continued the work they had started together and in 1911 was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
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