berkelium [Bk]

Introduction

Named after Berkeley, California, its place of discovery. First produced in 1949 by Stanley G Thompson, Albert Ghiorso, & Glenn T Seaborg.

Occurrence

• does NOT occur naturally
• made artificially by bombarding americium-241 with alpha-particles
• pure berkelium has not yet been isolated
• only berkelium chloride has been created in a visible amount 3 nanograms

Characteristics

• silvery solid metal
• highly radioactive

Uses

none

More general terms

• actinide
• radioactive element

Additional terms

• periodic table