Hello and welcome to Teach Kids Chemistry! Today, we will be discussing the fascinating element fermium. Fermium is a synthetic element that was first discovered in 1952 and is named after the famous physicist Enrico Fermi. It is a highly radioactive element and is not found naturally on Earth. Despite its rarity, fermium has important uses in nuclear research and medicine. Let’s dive in and learn more about this unique element!
The Periodic Element Fermium Overview
Fermium is a synthetic element with the symbol Fm and atomic number 100. Its atomic mass is 257 u, and it has 157 neutrons and 100 protons. Fermium is a member of the actinide series and is located in period 7 and group 3 of the periodic table. It is a radioactive metal and is not found naturally on Earth. Fermium has a phase of solid at room temperature and has an electronegativity of 1.3. Its specific heat capacity is not well defined due to its short half-life, but it is estimated to be around 60 J/mol·K. Fermium has a melting point of 1800 K and a boiling point of 5800 K. Its density is also not well defined due to its short half-life, but it is estimated to be around 9.7 g/cm³.Fermium was first synthesized in 1952 by a team of scientists led by Glenn T. Seaborg. It was named after Enrico Fermi, an Italian physicist who was instrumental in the development of the first nuclear reactor. Fermium is primarily used for scientific research, and its short half-life makes it difficult to study. It has no known biological role and is highly toxic due to its radioactivity. Overall, fermium is an interesting element that has contributed to our understanding of nuclear physics and the properties of heavy elements.
Everyday objects that contain the periodic element fermium?
There are many everyday objects that contain chemicals or compounds that can be used to teach chemistry concepts. For example, water is a compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, and can be used to teach about chemical formulas and the properties of different elements. Salt, which is made up of sodium and chlorine, can be used to teach about ionic bonding and the properties of salts. Baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate, can be used to teach about chemical reactions and the properties of acids and bases. Other examples include vinegar, which is acetic acid, and aspirin, which is acetylsalicylic acid. By using everyday objects that contain chemicals, students can learn about chemistry concepts in a simple and relatable way.
Differences in the periodic element fermium across states of matter
The state of an element can vary greatly depending on its temperature and pressure. At standard temperature and pressure (STP), most elements are either solids or gases. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, while gases have neither. As temperature and pressure increase, some solids can become liquids, which have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container. As temperature and pressure continue to increase, some liquids can become gases, which have neither a fixed shape nor volume. At extremely high temperatures and pressures, some gases can become plasmas, which are highly ionized and conductive. Plasmas are often found in stars and lightning bolts, and have unique properties such as the ability to emit light.
Is the periodic element fermium dangerous or radioactive?
Yes, fermium is a highly radioactive element and is considered dangerous due to its radioactivity. It is a synthetic element that is not found naturally on Earth and can only be produced in a laboratory. Fermium has a very short half-life, which means that it decays quickly and releases a large amount of radiation. Due to its high radioactivity, fermium is not used for any practical applications and is mainly studied for research purposes. It is important to handle fermium and other radioactive elements with extreme caution and follow proper safety protocols to avoid any harm.
Is the periodic element fermium rare and expensive?
Yes, fermium is a rare and expensive element. It is a synthetic element that is not found naturally on Earth and can only be produced in nuclear reactors. Its production requires a significant amount of resources and expertise, making it one of the most expensive elements to produce. Additionally, fermium has a very short half-life, meaning that it quickly decays into other elements, further adding to its rarity and expense. Due to its high cost and limited availability, fermium is primarily used for scientific research and is not commonly found in commercial applications.
Learn about all the elements with a periodic table!