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Berkelium Facts

Chemical & Physical Properties of Berkelium

By , About.com Guide

This is the berkelium, dissolved, that was used to synthesize element 117.

This is the berkelium, dissolved, that was used to synthesize element 117. It took 250 days to make this much berkelium!

ORNL, Department of Energy
Periodic Table of the Elements

Berkelium

Atomic Number: 97

Symbol: Bk

Atomic Weight: 247.0703

Discovery: G.T. Seaborg, S.G. Tompson, A. Ghiorso 1949 (United States)

Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f9 7s2

Element Classification: Radioactive Rare Earth (Actinide)

Name Origin: Named after Berkeley, California, where it was discovered.

Density (g/cc): 13.25

Appearance: metallic

Pauling Negativity Number: 1.3

First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): (600)

Oxidation States: 4, 3

References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Lange's Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics (18th Ed.)

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