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Curium (Cm)

Element with atomic number 96, category: Actinide, a solid at room temperature.

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Element 96 of 118

Actinide

Cm

Curium

Group 10, Period 7 (actinide series)

Atomic Number
96
Atomic Mass
247 u
State at Room Temperature
Solid

Common Uses

Radioactive

Electron Diagram

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The chemical symbol of Curium is Cm, with atomic number 96 and an atomic mass of about 247 u.
Curium is in the Actinide category and is a solid at room temperature.
Curium is in group 10, period 7 (actinide series) of the periodic table.
Curium is commonly used for Radioactive.
Using the simplified Bohr model, Curium has 6 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 4 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost.