Californium
(Cf)
By: Morgan Britt-Webb
*Words in italics also listed in words to know
Atomic number: 98
Atomic Mass: 251.08
Number of Neutrons: 153
Color: Unknown, but probably metallic and silvery white or grey in appearance
Element group name: Metal
Solid, Gas, Liquid, or Synthetic: Synthetic
State of Matter: Solid
Melting point: 1652 degrees Fahrenheit
Boiling Point: Unknown
State of Matter at room temperature: Solid
Radioactive?: Yes
Toxic?: Yes
Atomic Mass: 251.08
Number of Neutrons: 153
Color: Unknown, but probably metallic and silvery white or grey in appearance
Element group name: Metal
Solid, Gas, Liquid, or Synthetic: Synthetic
State of Matter: Solid
Melting point: 1652 degrees Fahrenheit
Boiling Point: Unknown
State of Matter at room temperature: Solid
Radioactive?: Yes
Toxic?: Yes
Pronunciation
cal-uh-FOR-nee-um
Californium atom
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Electron_shell_098_californium.png
Half life depends on the isotope
Isotope Cf-245
Cf-246 Cf-247 Cf-248 Cf-249 Cf-250 Cf-251 Cf-252 Cf-253 Cf-254 |
Half Life44.0 minutes
1.5 days 3.1 hours 334.0 days 351.0 years 13.0 years 900.0 years 2.6 years 17.8 days 60.5 days |
Physical proporties
Very little is known about the properties of Californium
When, Where, How, and Who discovered Californium?
Californium was discovered in 1950 by Albert Ghiorso, Stanley G. Thompson, Kenneth Street Jr., and Glenn T. Seaborg at the University of California. To make Californium researchers fired alpha particals at a target of curium.
The discoverers
Albert Ghiorso, Stanley G. Thompson, Kenneth Street Jr., and Glenn T. Seaborg
http://www.vanderkrogt.net/elements/images/portret/Bk_discoverers_s.jpg
http://www.vanderkrogt.net/elements/images/portret/Bk_discoverers_s.jpg
Where/what is it used for?
1.Californium is used in medicine.
2.Neutrons from californium-252 can be used to inspect airline baggage.
3.Californium is used to treat cancer.
4.Californium is used for search for oil
5.To test materials without breaking them apart or destroying them.
6.Californium is used to determine the amount of moisture in soil.
7.Californium is used in metal detectors.
2.Neutrons from californium-252 can be used to inspect airline baggage.
3.Californium is used to treat cancer.
4.Californium is used for search for oil
5.To test materials without breaking them apart or destroying them.
6.Californium is used to determine the amount of moisture in soil.
7.Californium is used in metal detectors.
Fun Facts!
-It has never been seen by any major scientist.
-It is one of the rarest elements ever.
-Most stable isotope is californium-252.
-Californium is the heaviest element that has been produced in weighable amounts.
-It is one of the rarest elements ever.
-Most stable isotope is californium-252.
-Californium is the heaviest element that has been produced in weighable amounts.
Where it was discovered
Videos!
Words to Know
Alpha particles: A positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom; emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes
Isotope: A variant of an element, such as californium-252
Half Life: For radio active elements, such as californium, it is the time required for half of the element to decay
Isotope: A variant of an element, such as californium-252
Half Life: For radio active elements, such as californium, it is the time required for half of the element to decay
Bibliography
Websites
Bentor, Yinon. "Chemical Elements.com - Californium (Cf)." Chemical Elements.com - Californium (Cf). Yinon Bentor, 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
"Chemistry Explained." Californium, Chemical Element. Advameg, Inc, 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
Helmenstine, Anne M. "Californium Facts." About.com Chemistry. About.com, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
K, Maggie, and Kirsten S. "#98 - Californium - Cf." #98 - Californium - Cf. Miss Wilkison, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.
Encyclopedias (online)
Massachusetts Library System. "Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition." Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
Kwak, Dr. Chung H., Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, and Dr. Andrew Wilson. "Californium." - New World Encyclopedia. Ed. Dr. Frank Kaufmann and Mr. Robert Brooks. Paragon House Publishers, 5 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
Book
Costello,Robert B.,ed. Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. New York:
Random House, 1995.Print.
Wierzbicki, Jacek G. Californium-252, Isotope for 21st Century Radiotherapy. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic, 1997. Print.
Random House, 1995.Print.
Wierzbicki, Jacek G. Californium-252, Isotope for 21st Century Radiotherapy. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic, 1997. Print.