A Little About How Americium is Obtained

    Since americium is not a naturally occurring element the only way to obtain this radioactive element is by bombarding plutonium with neutrons.  The result is a radioactive element with a varying half-life, depending on the ratio and fashion of neutrons in the (former) plutonium.  When americium was first created the secret to the success was knowing about the element next to it (curium) and the rare earth elements in the same family as americium.

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Americium

Electronic Periodic Table