Californium (Cf)

Californium is a radioactive chemical element with symbol Cf and atomic number 98. The element was first synthesized in 1950 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, by bombarding curium with alpha particles.

Atomic Number

98

Atomic Mass

251 u

Category

actinide

Phase

solid

Density

15.1 g/cm³

Electron Shells

2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2

Atomic Structure

Protons: 98 • Electrons: 98 • Neutrons: Varies by isotope

Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁶ 7s² 5f¹⁰

Discovery

1950 • Stanley G. Thompson, Kenneth Street Jr., Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg