Mendelevium
men-deh-LEE-vi-em
Mendelevium (Md) is a radioactive metal that has the atomic number 101 in the periodic table, its appearance is not fully known due to the minuscule amounts produced of it. It is an Actinoid Metal with the symbol Md.
Mendelevium was discovered by bombarding einstenium with alpha particles in 1955 by Stanley Thompson, Glenn Seaborg, Gregory Choppin and Bernard Harvey. As it was the post 100 element to be discovered it was named after the founder of the periodic table, Mendeleev. Because the element was discovered during the Cold War, Seaborg had to apply to the US Government for permission to name it after a Russian. Mendelevium has never been produced in gram quantities due to its difficult production. Mendelevium is not used widely and has few applications beyond nuclear research. It is a solid metal at room temperature and it has a melting point of 827°c predicted, the boiling point is unknown.
FAQ's
G.T.Seaborg, S.G.Tompson, A.Ghiorso, K.Street Jr.
1955
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Made by bombarding einsteinium 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
Md
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