Fermium
FER-mi-em
Fermium (Fm) is a silvery-white colored radioactive metal that has the atomic number 100 in the periodic table. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Fm.
Fermium is a synthetic element that can be formed from neutron bombardment. It is the last known element that has been produced in quantities but to this day pure fermium metal has not been produced. Fermium was discovered in the fallout from the nuclear explosion of Ivy Mike, the first successful hydrogen bomb. It was discovered by the scientist who discovered Einsteinium, Albert Ghiorso. It draws its name from Enrico Fermi. Fermium is a synthetic element, any Fermium that may have existed on earth would have decayed due to its short half life. Most Fermium is produced in laboratories. Fermium is not used due to its high radioactivity, it has mainly uses in nuclear research. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 1527°c predicted, the boiling point is unknown.
FAQ's
Argonne, Los Alamos, U of Calif
1953
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Produced by bombarding lighter transuranium elements with still lighter particles or by neutron capture.
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
Fm
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