Curium Facts (Cm or Atomic Number 96)

Curium is a radioactive element with atomic number 96 and element symbol Cm. It is a dense, silver metal in the actinide series that glows purple in the dark. It is named for Marie and Pierre Curie – pioneers in radioactivity research. Curium  Basic Facts Atomic Number: 96 Symbol: Cm Atomic Weight: 247.0703 Discovery: G.T. Seaborg, R.A. James, A. Ghiorso, 1944 (United States). Because of World War II, the discovery remained a secret until November 1947. Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f7 6d1 7s2 Biological Role: Like the other actinides, curium presents a radiological hazard. Curium accumulates in the bones, liver, and lungs. It is primarily an alpha particle emitter and can cause cancer. Curium Physical Data Atomic Weight: 247.0703 Element Classification: Radioactive Rare Earth Element (Actinide Series) Name Origin: Named in honor of Pierre and Marie Curie. Density (g/cc): 13.51 Melting Point (K): 1340 Appearance: silvery, malleable, synthetic radioactive metal Atomic Radius (pm): 299 Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 18.28 Pauling Negativity Number: 1.3 First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): (580) Oxidation States: 4, 3 Sources Emsley, John (2011).  Natures building blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-960563-7.Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997).  Chemistry of the Elements  (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.Hammond, C. R. (2004). The Elements, in  Handbook of Chemistry and Physics  (81st ed.). CRC press. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.Seaborg, Glenn T.; James, R. A.; Ghiorso, A. (1949). The New Element Curium (Atomic Number 96). NNES PPR (National Nuclear Energy Series, Plutonium Project Record). The Transuranium Elements: Research Papers, Paper No. 22.2. 14 B.  Weast, Robert (1984).  CRC, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Boca Raton, Florida: Chemical Rubber Company Publishing. pp. E110. ISBN 0-8493-0464-4.