Berkelium (Bk)

Berkelium is named after Berkeley, California, where it was synthesized at the University of California.

A microscopic speck of berkelium under a lens — years of reactor breeding for a barely visible grain — Video: A microscopic speck of berkelium under a lens — years of reactor breeding for a barely visible grain

Properties of Berkelium

Atomic number: 97
Category: Actinide
Atomic mass: 247 u
Electron configuration: [Rn] 5f⁹ 7s²
Melting point: 1259 K (985.85 °C)
Boiling point: 2900 K (2626.85 °C)
Density: 14.79 g/cm³
Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.3
Appearance: Silvery metallic
Discovered by: Glenn T. Seaborg (1949)

Facts about Berkelium

Berkelium is named after Berkeley, California, home of its discovery!
Only tiny amounts of berkelium have ever been produced!
Berkelium was used as a target to discover even heavier elements!
Berkelium is so rare that a single gram would cost billions of dollars!

Berkelium videos

A microscopic speck of berkelium under a lens — years of reactor breeding for a barely visible grain

Back to the periodic table · Berkelium on Wikipedia