Curium is a synthetic radioactive actinide used as an intense alpha source and in research on heavier elements.
Atomic number
96
Category
Actinide
Period
7
Group
f-block
State
Solid
Fun facts about Curium
Its name honours Marie and Pierre Curie.
Several curium isotopes generate considerable heat through radioactive decay.
Curium provided alpha particles for an instrument on some Mars rovers.
Common uses of Curium
Alpha-particle X-ray spectrometers
Production of heavier elements
Research heat sources
Where Curium sits in the periodic table
Curium belongs to the actinide series in period 7 and the f-block of the periodic table. Under the conditions represented in this reference, its state is solid.
Quick chemistry revision
For quick revision, pair the symbol Cm with atomic number 96 and the listed atomic mass [247]. The summary, facts, and uses above keep those element properties together in one reference.