Curium , including Technical Data, Safety Data and its
High Purity properties,
research, applications and other useful facts are discussed below. Scientific facts such as the
atomic structure,
ionization energy,
abundance on Earth,
conductivity and
thermal properties are included.
Curium is a Block P, Group 3, Period 7 element. The number of electrons in each of Curium‘s shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 25, 9, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Rn] 5f7 6d1 7s2. In its elemental form curium‘s CAS number is 7440-51-9. The curium atom has a radius of 174.pm and it‘s Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Curium is radioactive.
Curium is produced by bombarding uranium or plutonium with neutrons in nuclear reactors. Curium is found in spent nuclear fuel and small amounts are produced for research. Curium was discovered by Glenn T. Seaborg, Ralph A. James and Albert Ghiorso in 1944. The element was named in honor of Marie and Pierre Curie.
Curium Safety Data. The safety data for curium metal, nanoparticles and its compounds can vary widely depending on the form. For potential hazard information, toxicity, and road, sea and air transportation limitations, such as DOT Hazard Class, DOT Number, EU Number, NFPA Health rating and RTECS Class, please see the specific material or compound referenced in the left margin. Curium compounds have no biological role.
Ionization Energy. The ionization energy for curium (the least required energy to release a single electron from the atom in it‘s ground state in the gas phase) is stated in the following table:
1st Ionization Energy
|
580.85 kJ mol-1
|
2nd Ionization Energy
|
- kJ mol-1
|
3rd Ionization Energy
|
- kJ mol-1
|
Conductivity. As to curium‘s electrical and thermal conductivity, the electrical conductivity measured in terms of electrical resistivity @ 20 ?C is - ?Ocm and its electronegativities (or its ability to draw electrons relative to other elements) is -. The thermal conductivity of curium is - W m-1 K-1.
Thermal Properties of Curium. The melting point and boiling point for curium are stated below. The following chart sets forth the heat of fusion, heat of vaporization and heat of atomization.
Heat of Fusion
|
-kJ mol-1
|
Heat of Vaporization
|
- kJ mol-1
|
Heat of Atomization
|
382 kJ mol-1
|
|
|
Formula
|
Atomic Number
|
Molecular Weight
|
Electronegativity (Pauling)
|
Density
|
Melting Point
|
Boiling Point
|
Vanderwaals radius
|
Ionic radius
|
Energy of first ionization
|
Cm
|
96
|
247 g.mol -1
|
1.3
|
13.51 g/L
|
1345? °C
|
3110 °C
|
.200 nm
|
174 pm
|
580.85 kJ.mol-1
|
|