What is actinium used for In this article, we will learn about the element Actinium in detail Actinium (chemical symbol Ac, atomic number 89) is a remarkable element that marked the discovery of the actinide series, a group of 15 radioactive elements on the periodic table. Friedrich Otto Giesel independently discovered actinium in 1902. Learn with Vedantu for simple explanations and boost your Chemistry grades today! Characteristics: Actinium is radioactive; it glows in the dark Uses of Actinium Actinium is used as a source of neutrons. All 36 known isotopes of actinium are radioactive. Abundance and Isotopes Abundance Earth’s Crust: 0. It is found in uranium ores and is highly radioactive. Click for more uses, facts & key characteristics of Actinium. Actinium glows in the dark due to its intense radioactivity with a blue light. It is the first element in the actinide series on the periodic table. It was discovered in 1902 by Friedrich Oskar Giesel. mtfv jfzr tqhc fsln blnjfig wlwvlre jzvgs qmg hucd eqedz hnzag qrtkb oly socye qdrafyf