Californium

Californium is a radioactive, synthetic element first made in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley.

Named after the state of California and the university where it was discovered.

Produced by bombarding curium with alpha particles.

SymbolCf
Atomic Number98
GroupActinides
Period7
Blockf-block

Key Features

  • Californium is a highly radioactive, synthetic element.
  • Californium-252 is a powerful neutron emitter, used in neutron radiography, cancer treatment, and oil exploration.
  • Produced in nuclear reactors by neutron irradiation of curium.
  • Discovered in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • Must be handled with extreme care due to its radioactivity.
Californium Sample

Interesting Facts

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1 microgram of Cf-252 can emit 170 million neutrons per minute!

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Most stable isotope: Cf-251 (half-life ~900 years), but Cf-252 is the most commonly used (half-life ~2.6 years).