NO. 098Actinide

Cf

Californium

Californium is a powerful neutron emitter used in neutron radiography, cancer treatment, and nuclear reactor startup sources.

Crystal Structure

Double hexagonal close-packed

Atomic Mass251 u

Density15.1 g/cm³

Melting Point1173 K

Boiling Point1743 K

Atomic Radius186 pm

Electronegativity1.3

Ionization Energy608 kJ/mol

Electron Affinity0 kJ/mol

Bonding TypeMetallic

Oxidation States2, 3, 4

Acid/BaseBasic

ReactivityMedium

Electron Configuration

[Rn] 5f10 7s2

Discovered ByLawrence Berkeley Lab

Year1950

Known Isotopes

Cf-251Cf-252