Berkelium
Definition and meaning of Berkelium in chemistry.
Berkelium is a synthetic radioactive element with the symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It belongs to the actinide series and was named after the city of Berkeley, California, where it was discovered.
In more detail
Berkelium is a soft, silvery white radioactive metal that exists in two distinct crystal structures depending on temperature and pressure. It is produced in milligram quantities within high-flux nuclear reactors by bombarding lighter actinides with neutrons. Chemically, berkelium typically exhibits a +3 oxidation state in aqueous solutions, though a +4 state is also stable and can be synthesized under strong oxidizing conditions. As an f-block element, its properties continue the trends observed in the heavier actinides, showing strong similarities to its lanthanide counterpart terbium. The handling of berkelium requires specialized facilities due to the intense radiation and the short half-lives of its most accessible isotopes.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Bk |
| Atomic number | 97 |
| Atomic mass | [247] u |
| Category | Actinide |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Year discovered | 1949 |
| Discoverers | Stanley G. Thompson, Albert Ghiorso, and Glenn T. Seaborg |
Berkelium-249 has been utilized as a target material in particle accelerators to synthesize heavier transactinide elements, such as tennessine.
Frequently asked questions
Does berkelium have any commercial applications?
Berkelium currently has no commercial applications outside of basic scientific research and the synthesis of heavier elements.
What is the longest lived isotope of berkelium?
Berkelium-247 is the most stable isotope, with a half-life of 1380 years, though berkelium-249 is more commonly produced for research.