Neptunium (Np)
Neptunium was the first transuranium element discovered, named after the planet Neptune.
Properties of Neptunium
- Atomic number
- 93
- Category
- Actinide
- Atomic mass
- 237 u
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 5f⁴ 6d¹ 7s²
- Melting point
- 917 K (643.85 °C)
- Boiling point
- 4175 K (3901.85 °C)
- Density
- 20.45 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.36
- Appearance
- Silvery metallic
- Discovered by
- Edwin McMillan (1940)
Facts about Neptunium
- Neptunium was named after Neptune, the next planet after Uranus — just like it's the next element after uranium!
- Neptunium was the first element discovered beyond uranium!
- Neptunium is produced in nuclear reactors as a byproduct!
- Neptunium is used in neutron detection instruments!