Californium (Cf)
Californium is a powerful neutron source used in nuclear reactors, metal detectors, and cancer treatment.
Properties of Californium
- Atomic number
- 98
- Category
- Actinide
- Atomic mass
- 251 u
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s²
- Melting point
- 1173 K (899.85 °C)
- Boiling point
- 1743 K (1469.85 °C)
- Density
- 15.1 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.3
- Appearance
- Silvery metallic
- Discovered by
- Glenn T. Seaborg (1950)
Facts about Californium
- Californium is named after the state of California and the University of California!
- One microgram of californium produces 170 million neutrons per minute!
- Californium is used to find gold and silver ores deep underground!
- Californium costs about $27 million per gram, making it one of the most expensive substances!