californium

[ kal-uh-fawr-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a transuranic element. : Cf; : 98.

californium

/ ˌkælɪˈfɔːnɪəm /

noun

1. a metallic transuranic element artificially produced from curium. Symbol: Cf; atomic no: 98; half-life of most stable isotope, ²⁵¹Cf: 800 years (approx.)

californium

/ kăl′ə-fôr′nē-əm /

1. A synthetic, radioactive metallic element of the actinide series that is produced from curium or berkelium and is used in chemical analyses. Its most stable isotope, Cf 251, has a half-life of 800 years. Atomic number 98.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of californium¹

1945–50; named after the University of California where it was discovered; -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of californium¹

C20: New Latin; discovered at the University of California

Example Sentences

One milligram of californium-252 will spontaneously produce over 10⁹ neutrons per second.

From Project Gutenberg