berkelium

[ ber-kee-lee-uhm ]

/ bərˈki li əm /

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noun Chemistry.

a transuranic element. Symbol: Bk; atomic number: 97; atomic weight: 249 (?).

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Origin of berkelium

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

Words nearby berkelium

Berkeleian, Berkeleianism, Berkeley, Berkeley Castle, Berkeleyism, berkelium, Berkley, Berkner Island, berko, Berks, Berkshire

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British Dictionary definitions for berkelium

berkelium

/ (bɜːˈkiːlɪəm, ˈbɜːklɪəm) /

noun

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

Word Origin for berkelium

C20: named after Berkeley 1, where it was discovered

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for berkelium

berkelium

[ bər-kē′lē-əm, bûrk′lē-əm ]

n. Symbol Bk

A synthetic radioactive element. Its most stable isotope, Bk 247, has a half-life of 1,380 years. Atomic number 97.

Scientific definitions for berkelium

berkelium

[ bər-kē′lē-əm, bûrk′lē-əm ]

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. See Periodic Table.