WebElements Periodic Table » Americium » the essentials
- ️Prof Mark Winter, University of Sheffield
Americium - 95Am: the essentials
- Name: americium
- Symbol: Am
- Atomic number: 95
- Relative atomic mass (Ar): [ 243 ] (longest lived isotope)
- Standard state: solid at 298 K
- Appearance: silvery white
- Classification: Metallic
- Group in periodic table:
- Group name: Actinoid
- Period in periodic table: 7 (actinoid)
- Block in periodic table: f
- Shell structure: 2.8.18.32.25.8.2
- CAS Registry: 7440-35-9
Americium atoms have 95 electrons and the shell structure is 2.8.18.32.25.8.2. The ground state electronic configuration of neutral americium is [Rn].5f7.7s2 and the term symbol of americium is 8S7/2.
Americium: description
The lustre of freshly prepared americium metal is whiter and more silvery than plutonium or neptunium prepared in the same manner. Americium is a component of the smoke detector above.
Americium appears to be more malleable than uranium or neptunium and americium tarnishes slowly in dry air at room temperature. Americium is a radioactive rare earth metal which must be handled with care to avoid contact, since it is a heavy α and γ emitter. It is named after America. The α activity of 241Am is about three times that of radium. Americium is available to qualified users in the UK and in the USA.
Americium is a key component of some smoke detectors.
Americium: binary compounds
Binary compounds with halogens (known as halides), oxygen (known as oxides), hydrogen (known as hydrides), and other compounds of americium where known.
Americium: compound properties
Bond strengths; lattice energies of americium halides, hydrides, oxides (where known); and reduction potentials where known.