Standard Information on Berkelium(243):
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/econ/Bk.html
|
Atomic
Number: |
97 |
| Atomic Symbol: | Bk |
| Atomic Weight: | 247 |
| Electron Configuration: | 2-8-18-32-26-9-2 (-27-8-2) |
| Structure: | Berkelium has the crystal structure of "hcp hexagonal close-packed". The cell parameters are a /pm: 341.6, b /pm: 341.6, c /pm: 1106.9, a /*: 90.000, B /*: 90.000, and y /*: 120.000. |
| Melting point /k: | 1259 |
| Boiling point /k: | 3730 |
| Density in natural state/kg m-3 : | 14780 |
| Where it is found: | Not naturally found |
| Natural abundance: | Not naturally found |
| How it is obtained: | Bombarding an Am nucleus with alpha particles |
| Uses: | None |
| Where Bk is made: | The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. |
| Chemical properties/tendencies: | Part of the Actinide family; Transuranium element. Actinide elements have an unstable number of protons and neutrons, and all are radioactive. Bk, as part of the actinide family, has a 3+, 4+ oxidation state, which is the most common state of this family. It is also the most stable for the trans-Americium family. |
| Compounds: | BkOCl, BkF3, BkO2, BkO3 |
| Oxidation states: | +3, +4 |
Isotopes of Berkelium:
| Isotope | Half-life |
| 242 Bk | 7.0 minutes |
| 243 Bk | 4.5 hours |
| 244 Bk | 4.4 hours |
| 245 Bk | 4.9 days |
| 246 Bk | 1.8 days |
| 247 Bk | 1.4 * 10^3 years |
| 248 Bk | 23.7 hours |
| 249 Bk | 320 days |
| 250 Bk | 3.22 hours |
| 251 Bk | 57 minutes |