Berkelium
Actinide · atomic number 97
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BkBerkelium
Berkelium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series. It is named after the city of Berkeley, California, the location of the University of California Radiation Laboratory where it was discovered in December 1949.
Properties of Berkelium
| Element category | Actinide |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 97 |
| Atomic mass | 247 u |
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f9 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.3 |
| Melting point | 1259 K (986 °C) |
| Boiling point | 2900 K (2627 °C) |
| Density | 14.78 g/cm3 |
| Discovered by | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
← Curium · Periodic table · Californium → Cf
About the actinide group
Mostly radioactive, heavy metals — several made only in reactors — whose fission powers nuclear energy and weapons.
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