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Californium (Cf) – Element 98 of the periodic table

Californium (symbol Cf) is element number 98 of the periodic table and belongs to the “Actinide” category. Its atomic mass is about 251, and its phase under standard conditions is Solid. This element sits in period 7 and the f-block (Actinides) of the periodic table, and its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2. The short electron configuration of Californium is [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s². Known uses of Californium include Neutron source, Radiation therapy and Oil exploration.

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Californium is a radioactive, mostly synthetic element; its data may be based on limited experiments or theoretical prediction.

Properties of Californium

Atomic number
98
Chemical symbol
Cf
Atomic mass
251
Category
Actinide
Period
7
Block
f
Phase
Solid
Protons
98
Electrons
98
Neutrons (approx.)
153
Electron shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2
Outer-shell electrons
2
Discovered
Glenn Seaborg (1950)

Electron configuration of Californium

The electron configuration of Californium (Cf), with 98 electrons, is shown below. The last shell (shell 7) is highlighted:

Full configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 7s²
Short configuration
[Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s²
Last shell
7s²

What is electron configuration and how is it written?

Electron shells of Californium

Distribution of 98 electrons of Californium across shells K to Q:

  1. K2
  2. L8
  3. M18
  4. N32
  5. O28
  6. P8
  7. Q2

What is a actinide?

The actinides are the 15 elements from actinium to lawrencium, part of the f-block, and all of them are radioactive.

Uses of Californium

Frequently asked questions about Californium

What is the atomic number of Californium?

The atomic number of Californium (Cf) is 98; that is, every atom of it has 98 protons.

What is the electron configuration of Californium?

The electron configuration of Californium (Cf) is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 7s²; in short form it is [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s², and its last shell is 7s².

What is the chemical symbol of Californium?

The chemical symbol of Californium is Cf.

Where is Californium located in the periodic table?

Californium is located in period 7 and the f-block (Actinides) and belongs to the “Actinide” category.

What is the atomic mass of Californium?

The atomic mass of Californium is about 251 (atomic mass units).

What is the phase of Californium under normal conditions?

The phase of Californium under standard conditions is Solid.

What are the uses of Californium?

Uses of Californium include Neutron source, Radiation therapy and Oil exploration.

Who discovered Californium?

Californium was discovered by Glenn Seaborg in 1950.

Elements in the same category as Californium (Actinide)

Actinium (Ac)Thorium (Th)Protactinium (Pa)Uranium (U)Neptunium (Np)Plutonium (Pu)Americium (Am)Curium (Cm)Berkelium (Bk)Einsteinium (Es)Fermium (Fm)Mendelevium (Md)Nobelium (No)Lawrencium (Lr)

See all Actinides