Atomic Number
97
Element 97
Berkelium (Bk)
Berkelium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series. It is named after the city of Berkeley, California, the location of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Atomic Mass
247 u
Category
Actinide
Period
7
Group
Actinide series
Phase
solid
Density
14.78 g/cm3
Electron Shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2
Atomic Structure
Protons: 97. Electrons: 97. Neutrons: Varies by isotope.
Electron configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁶ 7s² 5f⁹
Why Berkelium Matters
Berkelium helps connect atomic number 97, actinide behavior, period 7 trends, and electron shell structure. Its solid phase, atomic mass of 247 u, and electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁶ 7s² 5f⁹ make it useful for comparing bonding patterns across the periodic table.
Discovery and Occurrence
Berkelium was discovered 1949 by Stanley G. Thompson, Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg. Berkelium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series. It is named after the city of Berkeley, California, the location of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Safety and Handling Context
Berkelium has radioactive isotopes or is commonly discussed with radioactive materials. Use this page as an educational reference; real samples require qualified supervision and controlled handling.
Related Elements
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the atomic number of Berkelium?
- Berkelium has atomic number 97, which means a neutral atom has 97 protons and 97 electrons.
- What is the chemical symbol for Berkelium?
- The chemical symbol for Berkelium is Bk.
- What category is Berkelium in?
- Berkelium is classified as a actinide and sits in period 7 of the periodic table.
Explore Berkelium in 3D
Use the interactive table above to rotate atomic models, compare periodic trends, and move from Berkelium to neighboring elements without losing your place.