berkelium

[ ber-kee-lee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a transuranic element. : Bk; : 97; : 249 (?).

berkelium

/ ˈbɜːklɪəm; bɜːˈkiːlɪəm /

noun

1. a metallic transuranic element produced by bombardment of americium. Symbol: Bk; atomic no: 97; half-life of most stable isotope, ²⁴⁷Bk: 1400 years; valency: 3 or 4; relative density: 14 (est)

berkelium

/ bər-kē′lē-əm,bûrk′lē-əm /

1. A synthetic, radioactive metallic element of the actinide series that is produced from americium, curium, or plutonium. Its most stable isotope has a half-life of about 1,400 years. Atomic number 97; melting point 986°C; valence 3, 4.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of berkelium¹

1945–50; named after Berkeley, California, where it was discovered; -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of berkelium¹

C20: named after Berkeley ¹, where it was discovered