Berkelium Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

History

• Berkelium was the first transuranic element to be produced by bombarding americium with alpha particles.
• It was discovered by a team of scientists including Glenn T. Seaborg, who played a significant role in the study of heavy elements.
• The element has been classified as a member of the actinides group in the periodic table.

Applications

• Although it's primarily used in research, berkelium isotopes can be utilized in the production of radioactive material.
• Its ability to emit alpha particles makes it useful in certain types of advanced scientific experiments.
• Berkelium is not commonly used in everyday applications due to its rarity and radioactivity.

Science

• Berkelium is radioactive and has no stable isotopes, the most common being berkelium-247.
• Its discovery contributed to the understanding of the actinide series which contains larger, heavier elements.
• Scientists study the properties and behaviors of this element to understand nuclear reactions better.

Pop Culture

• Berkelium is sometimes mentioned in science fiction literature as a fictional element with extraordinary properties.
• It has appeared in various educational materials aimed at informing students about the periodic table.
• References to berkelium can be found in chemistry-themed games and quizzes, often highlighting its discovery story.

Main points about word origin

• The name comes from the city of Berkeley, California, where it was discovered in 1949.
• It was named after the university located in Berkeley, which is known for its contributions to science.
• The 'ium' ending is common in the names of elements, signifying it as a metal.

The term 'berkelium' was coined in the year 1949 by a team of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. The name pays tribute to the city of Berkeley, where the element was first synthesized. It was created by bombarding americium with alpha particles in a cyclotron, a type of particle accelerator. Berkelium is classified as a member of the actinides, which are a series of elements characterized by their radioactivity and the filling of the 5f electron shell. The discovery of berkelium marked a significant advancement in the field of nuclear chemistry and contributed to the understanding of transuranic elements, which are elements beyond uranium in the periodic table. Its isolation was a part of the post-World War II scientific exploration into new elements and radioisotopes, driven by advancements in nuclear technology.

At position #41,299, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

• ...
• 41296 biorhythm
• 41297 unreeled
• 41298 aitch
• 41299 berkelium
• 41300 videoed
• 41301 apprizing
• 41302 eremite
• ...