Californium
| Atomic Number: | 98 |
| Symbol: | Cf |
| Atomic weight: | 251 |
| Discovery: | Thompson, Street, Ghioirso, and Seaborg: 1950 |
| Electron Configuration: | [Rn]7s25f10 |
| Word Origin: | State and University of California |
| Properties: | Californium metal has not been produced. Californium (III) is the only ion stable in aqueous solutions. Attempts to reduce or oxidize californium (III) have been unsuccessful. Californium-252 is a very strong neutron emitter. |
| Uses: | Californium is an efficient neutron source. It is used in neutron moisture gauges and as a portable neutron source for metal detection. |
| Isotopes: | The isotope Cf-249 results from the beta decay of Bk-249. Heavier isotopes of californium are produced by intense neutron irradiation by the reactions. Cf-249, Cf-250, Cf-251, and Cf-252 have been isolated. |
| Sources: | Californium was first produced in 1950 by bombarding Cm-242 with 35 MeV helium ions. |
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