Californium
kal-eh-FOR-ni-em
Californium (Cf) is a silvery-white colored radioactive metal that has the atomic number 98 in the periodic table. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Cf.
Californium was first produced in 1950 by Stanley Thompson, Glenn Seaborg, Kenneth Street and Albert Ghirorso working at UC Berkeley. To produce californium a sample of curium was bombarded by alpha particles creating californium and a neutron. The new element was named after the state of its discovery, California. Californium is found often in mineral mining and medical treatments. Californium has a. number of applications as it is a strong neutron emitter. It is a. useful neutron producer in nuclear reactions. it is also used in the treatment of cancers and analysers of coal. Californium was used in Russia to produce Oganesson in 2006, element 118. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 900°c and a boiling point of 1470°c.
FAQ's
G.T.Seaborg, S.G.Tompson, A.Ghiorso, K.Street Jr.
1950
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Made by bombarding curium with helium ions.
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
Cf
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