Mendelevium (Md)

General Information

• Symbol: Md
• Atomic Number: 101
• Atomic Weight: 258 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 10.3 g/cm³)
• Melting Point: 827 °C (1521 °F)
• Boiling Point: Unknown
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f¹³ 7s²
• Oxidation States: +3 (most common), +2

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Mendelevium is highly radioactive and reactive, especially in its +3 oxidation state. It reacts with oxygen, steam, and acids.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as mendelevium(III) chloride (MdCl₃) and mendelevium(III) oxide (Md₂O₃).

Uses and Applications

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

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Mendelevium does not occur naturally and is a synthetic element.
• Production: Produced in minute quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by bombarding lighter actinides such as einsteinium with alpha particles.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Mendelevium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: The most significant isotopes are Mendelevium-258 (half-life of 51.5 days), Mendelevium-256 (half-life of 1.17 hours), and Mendelevium-257 (half-life of 5.52 hours).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Mendelevium 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, Glenn T. Seaborg, Gregory Choppin, Bernard Harvey, and Stanley G. Thompson in 1955.
• Name Origin: Named after Dmitri Mendeleev, the creator of the periodic table.

Additional Facts

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

Summary

Mendelevium is a synthetic, highly radioactive element used primarily for research purposes. Discovered in 1955, it is produced in extremely small quantities in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. Mendelevium requires careful handling due to its high radioactivity.

• What is the atomic number of Mendelevium?

  • 101

• What is the symbol for Mendelevium?

  • Md

• What is the atomic weight of Mendelevium’s most stable isotope?

  • 258 u

• In which group of the periodic table is Mendelevium found?

  • Actinides series (no specific group)

• What period is Mendelevium in?

  • Period 7

• What block does Mendelevium belong to?

  • f-block

• What is the estimated density of Mendelevium?

  • Around 10.3 g/cm³

• What is the melting point of Mendelevium?

  • 827 °C (1521 °F)

• What is the boiling point of Mendelevium?

  • Unknown

• What is the electron configuration of Mendelevium?

  • [Rn] 5f¹³ 7s²

• What are the common oxidation states of Mendelevium?

  • +3 (most common), +2

• What is the predicted appearance of Mendelevium?

  • Silvery metallic

• Is Mendelevium reactive with air?

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

• Name a common compound of Mendelevium.

  • Mendelevium(III) chloride (MdCl₃)

• What is a common use of Mendelevium in research?

  • To study the properties of heavy actinides and transactinides.

• How is Mendelevium used in isotope production?

  • Used to produce other transuranium elements and transactinides.

• How is Mendelevium typically produced?

  • By bombarding lighter actinides such as einsteinium with alpha particles in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

• What is the most common isotope of Mendelevium used in research?

  • Mendelevium-258

• How is Mendelevium extracted?

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

• What safety hazard is associated with Mendelevium dust?

  • It is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks.

• Who discovered Mendelevium?

  • Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg, Gregory Choppin, Bernard Harvey, and Stanley G. Thompson

• Where does the name Mendelevium come from?

  • Named after Dmitri Mendeleev, the creator of the periodic table.

• What is the crystal structure of Mendelevium at room temperature?

  • Unknown

• Is Mendelevium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

  • Unknown

• What is the thermal conductivity of Mendelevium?

  • Unknown

• What is the electrical resistivity of Mendelevium?

  • Unknown

• What is the primary oxidation state of Mendelevium in its compounds?

  • +3

• Is Mendelevium found as a free element in nature?

  • No, it is a synthetic element.

• What is the common name of Mendelevium(III) chloride?

  • MdCl₃

• What is a major application of Mendelevium in scientific research?

  • Studying the properties of heavy actinides and transactinides.

• How does Mendelevium benefit isotope production?

  • Used to produce other transuranium elements.

• What is the melting point of Mendelevium in Kelvin?

  • 1100 K

• What group does Mendelevium belong to in the periodic table?

  • Actinides series

• What is the natural abundance of Mendelevium-258?

  • It is produced synthetically and is not found naturally.

• Can Mendelevium be used in high-temperature applications?

  • Yes, but its primary use is in research.

• What is the key property that makes Mendelevium valuable in research?

  • Its radioactive properties and role in studying heavy actinides.

• How is Mendelevium used in the chemical industry?

  • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

• What precautions should be taken when handling Mendelevium?

  • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.

• What are the health risks associated with Mendelevium?

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

• What are the common isotopes of Mendelevium used in research?

  • Mendelevium-258, Mendelevium-256, and Mendelevium-257.