Berkelium
Symbol Bk
Atomic Number 97
Atomic Mass 247 amu
Discovered by Stanley Thompson, Albert Ghiorso, and Glenn Seaborg in 1949

Chemical Properties of Berkelium

Group Actinides Melting point 986°C, 1807°F, 1259 K
Period 7 Boiling point Unknown
Block f Density (g cm−3) 14.78
Atomic number 97 Relative atomic mass [247]
State at 20°C Solid Key isotopes 247Bk, 249Bk
Electron configuration [Rn] 5f97s2 CAS number 7440-40-6
ChemSpider ID 22409 ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database

What is Berkelium?

  • It is a radioactive chemical element with the atomic number 97.
  • They are traced in different parts of the planet where nuclear tests were conducted.
  • It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series in the periodic table.
  • It was the fifth transuranium discovered.

Uses of Berkelium

  • Presently, the element is not used biologically or for technological purposes.
  • It was used for the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1980.
  • Its isotopes are used for basic scientific research.

Properties of Berkelium

  • The element’s mass numbers range from 235 to 254 and about twenty isotopes.
  • The element showcases isomerism wherein six nuclear isomers of the element have been characterized.
  • Every isotope of the element is radioactive.

Certain Facts About Berkelium

  • The element was produced by Kenneth Street Jr. Albert Ghiorso and Glenn T.Seaborg at the University of California.
  • The primary investigations for berkelium were only on co-precipitation and ion exchange till the year 1952.
Test your knowledge on berkelium!

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*