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97 Bk Berkelium 247

Berkelium

ACTINIDE
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Berkelium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series. It is named after the city of Berkeley, California, the location of the University of California Radiation Laboratory where it was discovered in December 1949.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 97
Period 7
Group 11
Phase Solid
Appearance silvery
About Actinides

Actinides are the 15 metallic elements with atomic numbers 89–103. All actinides are radioactive.

History

Discovered By Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 247
Density 14.78 g/L
Molar Heat N/A J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Berkelium melts at 1259 K and boils at 2900 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Rn] 5f9 7s2
Electronegativity 1.3
Electron Affinity -165.24 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 601 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.

Photograph

Image of Berkelium Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.