Fermium, 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.
Fermium is a Block F, Group 3, Period 7 element. The number of electrons in each of Fermium‘s shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 30, 8, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Rn] 5f12 7s2. In its elemental form fermium‘s CAS number is 7440-72-4. The fermium atom has a radius of -.pm and it‘s Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Fermium is radioactive.
Fermium is a synthetic element that is produced by the bombardment of lighter actinides with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Fermium was discovered by Albert Ghiorso in 1953. Ferium was named after Enrico Fermi, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Rome. Fermi was a Nobel Prize winner whose work lead to the discovery of slow neutrons which then resulted in the discovery of nuclear fission and the production of elements lying beyond what was until 1938 the Periodic Table.
Fermium Safety Data. The safety data for fermium 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. Fermium compounds have no biological role.
Ionization Energy. The ionization energy for fermium (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:
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1st Ionization Energy
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627.16 kJ mol-1
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2nd Ionization Energy
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- kJ mol-1
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3rd Ionization Energy
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- kJ mol-1
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Conductivity. As to fermium‘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 fermium is - W m-1 K-1.
Thermal Properties of Fermium. The melting point and boiling point for fermium are stated below. The following chart sets forth the heat of fusion, heat of vaporization and heat of atomization.
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Heat of Fusion
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- kJ mol-1
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Heat of Vaporization
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- kJ mol-1
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Heat of Atomization
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141 kJ mol-1
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