Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Cf |
| Atomic Number | 98 |
| Atomic Mass | [251] u |
| Category | Actinide |
| Period | 7 |
| Group | 3 |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s² |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: Glenn Seaborg and colleagues Year of Discovery: 1950 Location: Berkeley, California, USA
Etymology
Named after California and the University of California.
Applications and Uses
- Neutron sources (Cf-252)
- Cancer treatment
- Oil well logging
- Detecting gold and silver ores
- Starting nuclear reactors
Interesting Facts
- One of the most expensive substances (~$27 million per gram)
- Only a few grams exist worldwide
- Powerful neutron emitter
- Used in portable metal detectors
- Named after the state and university where it was made