Curium

Curium is a synthetic chemical element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96. It is a member of the actinide series, and it is the third element that is named after a scientist, specifically Marie and Pierre Curie. Curium was first produced and identified in July 1944 by the group of Glenn T. Seaborg at the University of California, Berkeley.

History

The discovery of curium, as well as americium, in 1944 was closely related to the Manhattan Project as the scientists were searching for possible steps to produce a plutonium bomb. Curium was first identified in the fallout from the nuclear explosion of the first hydrogen bomb, Ivy Mike, in 1952. The symbol for curium, Cm, and its atomic number, 96, were chosen by its discoverers, Glenn T. Seaborg, Ralph A. James, and Albert Ghiorso.

Characteristics

Curium is a hard, brittle, silvery metal with a relatively high melting point and boiling point. It is a radioactive element and is one of the most hazardous to human health. Curium has a complex chemistry, forming various types of compounds, including oxides, halides, and salts.

Applications

Due to its intense radioactivity, curium has few applications. It is used in the production of heavier actinides and in the medical field as a power source for pacemakers. It is also used in space missions as a power source in radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

Health effects

Curium poses significant health risks due to its radioactivity. If ingested or inhaled, it can cause serious damage to health, including cancer and death. Therefore, it must be handled with great care, using appropriate safety measures.

See also

• Actinide
• Manhattan Project
• Plutonium
• Radioactive decay
• Radioisotope thermoelectric generator

References

Curium Resources
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