96 Cm Curium 247.0 u

Curium

Period
7
Group
—
Block
f-block
Phase (STP)
Solid

Curium is a synthetic element named after Marie and Pierre Curie. It is used as a power source in space missions via radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

About Curium

The name curium honours Marie and Pierre Curie, and the element sits immediately beyond americium in the actinide series at atomic number 96. Its relative atomic mass is 247.0, its configuration [Rn] 5f7 6d1 7s2, and its Pauling electronegativity 1.3; the metal is solid at standard temperature and pressure. Curium is synthetic and intensely radioactive, and the heat released by its decay is substantial enough to be engineered around. That heat has been used aboard spacecraft, where radioisotope thermoelectric generators convert the thermal output of a decaying actinide into electrical power for instruments operating far from the Sun. The element has no application outside research and specialised nuclear engineering.

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 247.0 u
Phase at STP Solid

Electronic Properties

Electronegativity 1.3

Electron Configuration

Configuration [Rn] 5f⁷ 6d¹ 7s²

Electron Shell Configuration

Curium electron shell configuration Cm 2e⁻ 8e⁻ 18e⁻ 32e⁻ 25e⁻ 9e⁻ 2e⁻
Electron shell structure of Curium — electrons per shell.
Shell Electrons
1 (K) 2
2 (L) 8
3 (M) 18
4 (N) 32
5 (O) 25
6 (P) 9
7 (Q) 2

Position in Periodic Table

Curium position in the periodic table Cm

Block & Period

Block

s p d f

Period

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Periodic Table

Lanthanides Actinides

More Actinide

89 Ac Actinium 90 Th Thorium 91 Pa Protactinium 92 U Uranium 93 Np Neptunium 94 Pu Plutonium 95 Am Americium 97 Bk Berkelium 98 Cf Californium 99 Es Einsteinium

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Curium?
Curium (Cm) is a chemical element with atomic number 96. It is a solid at standard temperature and pressure, classified as a actinide.
What are the key properties of Curium?
Curium has an atomic mass of 247.0 u.
What is the electron configuration of Curium?
The electron configuration of Curium is [Rn] 5f7 6d1 7s2. It is in the f-block of the periodic table.
What is the electronegativity of Curium?
Curium has an electronegativity of 1.3 on the Pauling scale.