Berkelium
BURK-li-em
Berkelium (Bk) is a silvery colored radioactive metal that has the atomic number 97 in the periodic table. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Bk.
Berkelium is a synthetic element that is created in nuclear testing labs due to its radioactivity. Berkelium was produced by Stanley Thompson, Glenn Seaborg, Kenneth Street and Albert Ghirorso working at UC Berkeley. It was discovered in 1949 by bombarding americium wth alpha particles using a cyclotron. It has no uses outside of scientific research. Since 1967 only one gram of Berkelium has been produced in the US. Berkelium whilst not having any uses has been combined with oxides and halogens. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 986°c and a boiling point of 2900°c.
FAQ's
G.T.Seaborg, S.G.Tompson, A.Ghiorso
1949
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Some compounds have been made and studied. Made by bombarding americium with alpha particles.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Bk
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