Fermium (Fm)

General Information

• Symbol: Fm
• Atomic Number: 100
• Atomic Weight: 257 u (most stable isotope)
• Element Category: Actinide
• Group: N/A (Actinides series)
• Period: 7
• Block: f-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery metallic (predicted)
• Density: Unknown (estimated to be around 9.7-10 g/cm³)
• Melting Point: 1527 °C (2781 °F)
• Boiling Point: Unknown
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f¹² 7s²
• Oxidation States: +3 (most common), +2

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Fermium is highly radioactive and reactive, especially in its +3 oxidation state. It reacts with oxygen, steam, and acids.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as fermium(III) oxide (Fm₂O₃) and fermium(III) chloride (FmCl₃).

Uses and Applications

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

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Fermium does not occur naturally and is a synthetic element.
• Production: Produced in minute quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by bombarding lighter actinides like uranium or plutonium with neutrons.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Fermium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: The most significant isotopes are Fermium-257 (half-life of 100.5 days), Fermium-255 (half-life of 20.07 hours), and Fermium-254 (half-life of 3.24 hours).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Fermium 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 a team led by Albert Ghiorso in 1952 in the debris from the first hydrogen bomb explosion.
• Name Origin: Named after physicist Enrico Fermi, known for his work on nuclear reactions.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Unknown
• Magnetic Properties: Unknown
• Thermal Conductivity: Unknown
• Electrical Resistivity: Unknown

Summary

Fermium 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. Fermium requires careful handling due to its high radioactivity.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Fermium

1. What is the atomic number of Fermium?

   • 100

2. What is the symbol for Fermium?

   • Fm

3. What is the atomic weight of Fermium?

   • 257 u (most stable isotope)

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

   • Actinides series (no specific group)

5. What period is Fermium in?

   • Period 7

6. What block does Fermium belong to?

   • f-block

7. What is the density of Fermium?

   • Estimated around 9.7-10 g/cm³

8. What is the melting point of Fermium?

   • 1527 °C (2781 °F)

9. What is the boiling point of Fermium?

   • Unknown

10. What is the electron configuration of Fermium?

    • [Rn] 5f¹² 7s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Fermium?

    • +3 (most common), +2

12. What is the appearance of Fermium?

    • Silvery metallic (predicted)

13. Is Fermium reactive with air?

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

14. Name a compound of Fermium.

    • Fermium(III) oxide (Fm₂O₃)

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

    • To study the properties of heavy actinides.

16. How is Fermium used in isotope production?

    • Used to produce heavier transuranium elements.

17. How is Fermium typically produced?

    • By bombarding lighter actinides like uranium or plutonium with neutrons in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

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

    • Fermium-257

19. How is Fermium extracted?

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

20. What safety hazard is associated with Fermium dust?

    • It is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks.

21. Who discovered Fermium?

    • A team led by Albert Ghiorso

22. Where does the name Fermium come from?

    • Named after physicist Enrico Fermi.

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

    • Unknown

24. Is Fermium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

    • Unknown

25. What is the thermal conductivity of Fermium?

    • Unknown

26. What is the electrical resistivity of Fermium?

    • Unknown

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

    • +3

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

    • No, it is a synthetic element.

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

    • FmCl₃

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

    • Studying the properties of heavy actinides.

31. How does Fermium benefit isotope production?

    • Used to produce heavier transuranium elements.

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

    • 1800 K

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

    • Actinides series

34. What is the natural abundance of Fermium-257?

    • It is produced synthetically and is not found naturally.

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

    • Yes, but its primary use is in research.

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

    • Its radioactive properties and role in studying heavy actinides.

37. How is Fermium used in the chemical industry?

    • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

38. What precautions should be taken when handling Fermium?

    • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.

39. What are the health risks associated with Fermium?

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

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

    • Fermium-257, Fermium-255, and Fermium-254.