Fermium

Ivy Mike - mushroom cloud

Enrico Fermi 1943-49

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Albert Ghiorso ca 1970

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Decay of Fermium-257

Elutionskurven Fm Es Cf Bk Cm Am

Fermium is a synthetic element with the symbol Fm and atomic number 100. It is a member of the actinide series in the periodic table of elements. Fermium is named after Enrico Fermi, a pioneering Italian-American nuclear physicist, in recognition of his contributions to the field of nuclear physics, including the development of the first nuclear reactor and his contributions to the development of quantum theory.

Properties

Fermium is a highly radioactive metal, with no stable isotopes. The most stable isotope of fermium, Fermium-257, has a half-life of about 100.5 days. It decays into californium-253 through alpha decay. Due to its radioactivity, fermium does not occur naturally and is only produced in minute amounts through the nuclear reactions of lighter elements, typically in a nuclear reactor or when nuclear weapons are detonated. Fermium's chemical properties are not well-studied due to its rarity and radioactivity, but it is expected to behave similarly to other actinides.

Discovery

Fermium was first discovered in the debris of the first hydrogen bomb test in 1952, codenamed "Ivy Mike," conducted at the Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery was made by a team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, led by Albert Ghiorso. The identification of fermium was initially kept secret due to the Cold War and was not published until 1955.

Production

Fermium is produced artificially in nuclear reactors or during nuclear weapons tests by the neutron bombardment of lighter elements, such as plutonium, americium, or curium. The production process involves a complex chain of nuclear reactions that produce successively heavier elements, culminating in the creation of fermium. Due to its short half-life and the difficulty in isolating it, only small amounts of fermium can be produced, limiting its practical applications.

Applications

Due to its extreme rarity and radioactivity, fermium has no significant commercial applications. Its use is primarily limited to scientific research, particularly in the study of the properties of actinides and the synthesis of heavier transuranium elements. Researchers also study fermium's nuclear properties, which can provide insights into nuclear structure and the forces that hold the nucleus together.

Safety

Handling fermium, like other radioactive materials, requires strict safety protocols to protect against radiation exposure. Due to its high radioactivity and the potential for alpha particle emission, exposure to fermium can pose serious health risks, including radiation sickness and increased risk of cancer. Therefore, research involving fermium is conducted in specialized facilities designed to contain radioactive materials safely.

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