Californium facts for kids

Californium is a special kind of chemical element. It's a metal that is also radioactive, which means it gives off energy. Its chemical symbol is Cf, and its atomic number is 98.

Californium is known as a transuranic element. This means it's heavier than uranium. You can find tiny amounts of californium naturally on Earth, but it's also found in other parts of the universe.

This element doesn't have many everyday uses. It was first made in a lab by hitting a curium target with tiny particles called alpha particles. These alpha particles are like the centers of helium atoms.

Californium got its name from the US State of California. It was discovered there at the University of Berkeley.

What is Californium?

Californium is a very rare and powerful element. It's a metal that glows and gives off energy because it's radioactive. This means it's not safe to touch without special protection.

It's one of the heaviest elements known. Its special number, called the atomic number, is 98. This number tells us how many tiny particles called protons are in its center.

Where is Californium found?

You won't find much californium lying around naturally. It's mostly made in special labs. However, tiny amounts can be found in places where uranium ores are present. It's also created in huge explosions like supernovas in space!

How was Californium discovered?

Californium was first made by scientists in 1950. This happened at the University of California, Berkeley.

The large machine called a cyclotron that helped make californium for the first time.

Scientists used a big machine called a cyclotron. They took a small piece of another element called curium. Then, they shot tiny, fast-moving particles called alpha particles at the curium. When the alpha particles hit the curium, they combined to create the new element, californium!

What is Californium used for?

Even though californium is rare, it has some important jobs.

• Starting nuclear reactors: It can be used to kick-start nuclear reactors.
• Finding things: It's used in special tools to find things like gold or silver underground. It can also find water in oil wells.
• Treating cancer: Sometimes, a special type of californium is used in medicine to treat certain kinds of cancer.
• Research: Scientists use it to study new elements and learn more about how atoms work.

Images for kids

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  This diagram shows how californium-252 can be made from uranium.

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  This is a very heavy container used to safely transport californium. It's designed to protect people from its radioactivity.

See also

In Spanish: Californio para niños