Einsteinium (Es)

General Information

• Symbol: Es
• Atomic Number: 99
• Atomic Weight: 252 u (most stable isotope)
• Element Category: Actinide
• Group: N/A (Actinides series)
• Period: 7
• Block: f-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery metallic
• Density: 8.84 g/cm³ (estimated)
• Melting Point: 860 °C (1580 °F)
• Boiling Point: Unknown, but estimated around 996 °C (1825 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f¹¹ 7s²
• Oxidation States: +3 (most common), +2

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Einsteinium is highly radioactive and reactive, especially in its +3 oxidation state. It reacts with oxygen, steam, and acids.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as einsteinium(III) oxide (Es₂O₃), einsteinium(III) chloride (EsCl₃), and einsteinium(III) nitrate (Es(NO₃)₃).

Uses and Applications

• Scientific Research: Used primarily for research purposes to understand the properties of heavy actinides.
• Isotope Production: Used to produce other transuranium elements and transactinides.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Einsteinium does not occur naturally and is a synthetic element.
• Production: Produced in minute quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by bombarding plutonium or other heavy elements with neutrons.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Einsteinium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: The most significant isotopes are Einsteinium-253 (half-life of 20.47 days), Einsteinium-254 (half-life of 275.7 days), and Einsteinium-252 (half-life of 471.7 days).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Einsteinium is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks. It can cause radiation poisoning and cancer if inhaled or ingested.
• Precautions: Handle with extreme care, using appropriate protective equipment and working in controlled environments. Proper disposal of radioactive materials is crucial.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Albert Ghiorso and his team in December 1952 during the analysis of debris from the first hydrogen bomb explosion.
• Name Origin: Named after the famous physicist Albert Einstein.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Face-centered cubic (fcc) (predicted)
• Magnetic Properties: Unknown
• Thermal Conductivity: Unknown
• Electrical Resistivity: Unknown

Summary

Einsteinium is a synthetic, highly radioactive element used primarily for research purposes. Discovered in 1952 in the debris of a hydrogen bomb explosion, it is produced in extremely small quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. Einsteinium requires careful handling due to its high radioactivity.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Einsteinium

1. What is the atomic number of Einsteinium?

   • 99

2. What is the symbol for Einsteinium?

   • Es

3. What is the atomic weight of Einsteinium?

   • 252 u (most stable isotope)

4. In which group of the periodic table is Einsteinium found?

   • Actinides series (no specific group)

5. What period is Einsteinium in?

   • Period 7

6. What block does Einsteinium belong to?

   • f-block

7. What is the density of Einsteinium?

   • 8.84 g/cm³ (estimated)

8. What is the melting point of Einsteinium?

   • 860 °C (1580 °F)

9. What is the boiling point of Einsteinium?

   • Estimated around 996 °C (1825 °F)

10. What is the electron configuration of Einsteinium?

    • [Rn] 5f¹¹ 7s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Einsteinium?

    • +3 (most common), +2

12. What is the appearance of Einsteinium?

    • Silvery metallic

13. Is Einsteinium reactive with air?

    • Yes, it is reactive and forms compounds with oxygen and other elements.

14. Name a compound of Einsteinium.

    • Einsteinium(III) oxide (Es₂O₃)

15. What is a common use of Einsteinium in research?

    • To study the properties of heavy actinides.

16. How is Einsteinium used in isotope production?

    • Used to produce other transuranium elements and transactinides.

17. How is Einsteinium typically produced?

    • By bombarding plutonium or other heavy elements with neutrons in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

18. What is the most common isotope of Einsteinium used in research?

    • Einsteinium-253

19. How is Einsteinium extracted?

    • Produced synthetically in minute quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

20. What safety hazard is associated with Einsteinium dust?

    • It is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks.

21. Who discovered Einsteinium?

    • Albert Ghiorso and his team

22. Where does the name Einsteinium come from?

    • Named after the physicist Albert Einstein.

23. What is the crystal structure of Einsteinium at room temperature?

    • Face-centered cubic (fcc) (predicted)

24. Is Einsteinium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

    • Unknown

25. What is the thermal conductivity of Einsteinium?

    • Unknown

26. What is the electrical resistivity of Einsteinium?

    • Unknown

27. What is the primary oxidation state of Einsteinium in its compounds?

    • +3

28. Is Einsteinium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is a synthetic element.

29. What is the common name of Einsteinium(III) chloride?

    • EsCl₃

30. What is a major application of Einsteinium in scientific research?

    • Studying the properties of heavy actinides.

31. How does Einsteinium benefit isotope production?

    • Used to produce other transuranium elements.

32. What is the melting point of Einsteinium in Kelvin?

    • 1133 K

33. What group does Einsteinium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Actinides series

34. What is the natural abundance of Einsteinium-253?

    • It is produced synthetically and is not found naturally.

35. Can Einsteinium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, but its primary use is in research.

36. What is the key property that makes Einsteinium valuable in research?

    • Its radioactive properties and role in studying heavy actinides.

37. How is Einsteinium used in the chemical industry?

    • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

38. What precautions should be taken when handling Einsteinium?

    • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.

39. What are the health risks associated with Einsteinium?

    • It can cause radiation poisoning and cancer if inhaled or ingested.

40. What are the common isotopes of Einsteinium used in research?

    • Einsteinium-253, Einsteinium-254, and Einsteinium-252.