Overview

Promethium is one of the most fascinating of all chemical elements. It has never been found on the Earth's surface. Scientists know of it only because it can be prepared artificially in particle accelerators ("atom smashers") and in other unusual reactions. Its existence was predicted as early as 1902, but its discovery was not confirmed until 1945.

All of the known isotopes of promethium are radioactive. That is, they break down and give off radiation spontaneously.

At one time, promethium was strictly a laboratory curiosity. Today, however, it has a number of practical industrial applications.