Education
Curium (Cm)
Element with atomic number 96, category: Actinide, a solid at room temperature.
Element 96 of 118
Actinide
Curium
Group 10, Period 7 (actinide series)
Common Uses
Radioactive
Electron Diagram
About Curium
Curium is a chemical element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96, meaning every atom has 96 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Actinide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 247 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Curium sits in group 10, period 7 (actinide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Curium
In daily life and industry, Curium is used for Radioactive. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Actinide category.
Electron Structure of Curium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Curium has 6 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 4 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.