Element / isotope identity
Atomic number, isotope identity and discovery evidence are experimentally/evaluatively grounded.
Electron configuration
Very-heavy-element configurations are theory/evaluation-led; ordinary elements use evaluated ground-state references.
Bulk material structure
The Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference reference is represented by a simplified teaching cell.
Phase / density data
Unknown values stay unknown; reported values are tied to the elemental material reference.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Berkelium (Bk)
Berkelium is element 97. This guide connects its periodic-table identity to evidence-aware structure, isotopes, uses, discovery and the search questions learners actually ask.
Berkelium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Berkelium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does berkelium have?
Berkelium’s atomic number is 97, so every berkelium atom has 97 protons, and a neutral atom also has 97 electrons. Berkelium has no stable isotopes, so the neutron count depends on the isotope: berkelium-249, featured on this page, has 152 neutrons.
What is the symbol for berkelium?
The chemical symbol for berkelium is Bk.
Is berkelium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Berkelium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is berkelium in?
Berkelium is an actinide, in period 7 (the f-block row shown below the main table) of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of berkelium?
The ground-state electron configuration of berkelium is [Rn] 5f⁹ 7s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
97 protons define berkelium.
Ground-state/reference configuration frames atomic behavior; heavy-element predictions remain evidence-labelled.
Periodic position organizes trends without replacing element-specific evidence.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Measured structures are visualized; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Berkelium in its period and family
Berkelium is element 97 in Period 7. Its f-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Berkelium Visual Lab
Explore Bk across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Berkelium in one minute
Atomic number 97 means every berkelium nucleus has 97 protons.
The ground-state/reference electron configuration is [Rn] 5f⁹ 7s².
The representative teaching isotope is ²⁴⁹Bk.
Berkelium is an artificial actinide made in tiny quantities. Its research value comes from nuclear and actinide chemistry, not from commercial bulk use.
Material structure status: Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference.
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 27 · 8 · 2 electrons
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
The viewer represents the reviewed Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference material reference for elemental Berkelium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
Where do I meet berkelium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Scientific research
This context uses Berkelium or a berkelium-containing material; the element and its compounds/isotopes are kept distinct.
Berkelium metal → engineered materials → evidence boundary
The same element can appear in very different materials; the page keeps elemental structure separate from compounds, alloys and isotope-specific applications.
Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference
Elemental Berkelium uses the reviewed ordinary structure shown in the Visual Lab.
Berkelium in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a periodic trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Atomic number | 96 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 97 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 98 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
Berkelium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 97 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | [247] | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Rn] 5f⁹ 7s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group Actinide · Period 7 · f-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | Unknown | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Unknown |
| Reference isotope | ²⁴⁹Bk | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Radioactive silvery actinide metal produced synthetically | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 14.78 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference | The viewer represents the reviewed Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference material reference for elemental Berkelium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Measured |
| Classification | Actinide | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | The viewer represents the reviewed Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference material reference for elemental Berkelium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 1259 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | Unknown | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Unknown |
| Phase-path context | A melting reference of 1259 K is reported for teaching context, while an ordinary boiling point is not established here. The page does not infer a precise gas transition from theory. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +3, +4 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Bk³⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Berkelium is element 97 in Period 7. Its f-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ²⁴⁹Bk | Reference teaching isotope | Mass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass. | Evaluated |
| Isotope evidence | Element-specific nuclear context | Half-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ²⁴⁹Bk · 97 protons + 152 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page evidence note | Atomic identity and source-reviewed reference values are separated from predictions. Search demand shapes headings and FAQs but never overrides scientific evidence; unknown bulk structure/density/phase values remain visibly unknown. | Evidence summary for this guide | Reviewed |
| Structure evidence | The viewer represents the reviewed Double-hexagonal close-packed (DHCP) teaching reference material reference for elemental Berkelium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Measured structure, labelled schematic, prediction or explicit unknown as applicable. | Reviewed |
| Map evidence rule | Real pins are reviewed examples; conceptual layers are used when pins would mislead. | Geography Explorer 2.0 | Reviewed |
| Source set | 3 primary/reference links listed below | Open the Sources section for the actual references. | Reviewed |
Is Berkelium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
A melting reference of 1259 K is reported for teaching context, while an ordinary boiling point is not established here. The page does not infer a precise gas transition from theory.
Where on Earth is Berkelium found or produced?
Who discovered Berkelium, and when?
Stanley Thompson, Albert Ghiorso and Glenn Seaborg’s team produced berkelium at the University of California, Berkeley.
The element name and discovery story are part of the historical record; search-led questions are answered without turning history into scientific evidence for bulk properties.
Current use is described at the level supported by the element’s availability and evidence, with research-only elements kept research-only.
Research production context: high-level, non-operational
The element is produced or isolated only in specialized research/nuclear settings; this page intentionally omits operational synthesis, target, beam, separation, handling and access instructions.
Experimental identity is established from nuclear decay, spectroscopy and/or atom-scale chemistry appropriate to the element.
Any chemical or material inference is labelled by evidence strength; unmeasured bulk properties are not converted into visual facts.
Research use is described conceptually, with isotope-specific claims kept distinct from the element as a whole.
What is berkelium used for?
Scientific research
Research-only context; no operational production or handling guidance.
Starting material in selected heavy-element research
Research-only context; no operational production or handling guidance.
Actinide chemistry studies
Research-only context; no operational production or handling guidance.
Berkelium isotopes and natural abundance
²⁴⁹Bk
Reference teaching isotopeMass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass.
Isotope evidence
Element-specific nuclear contextHalf-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms.
Five-question Berkelium check
What is Berkelium’s atomic number?
Which statement best describes the material evidence for Berkelium?
What is the safest rule for Berkelium uses?
Berkelium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is berkelium?
Short answer: Berkelium is chemical element 97, symbol Bk, classified here as actinide.
Atomic number 97 means every berkelium nucleus contains 97 protons. In the periodic table, Berkelium is classified here as an actinide in Period 7 and Group Actinide. Berkelium is element 97 in Period 7. Its f-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Key point: Bk is element 97; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is the atomic number of berkelium?
Short answer: The atomic number is 97, meaning every berkelium nucleus has 97 protons.
Atomic number is defined by proton count, so 97 protons are what make an atom berkelium. A neutral berkelium atom also has 97 electrons, while isotopes can have different neutron counts without changing the element.
Key point: Atomic number = proton count.
What is the symbol for berkelium?
Short answer: The chemical symbol is Bk.
The symbol Bk is the standardized chemical abbreviation for element 97. In a chemical formula, Bk identifies berkelium atoms; a compound containing Bk is not automatically the same material as elemental berkelium.
Key point: Bk always identifies element 97.
What is berkelium used for?
Short answer: Berkelium has no ordinary commercial use; it is used in scientific research and selected heavy-element experiments.
Scientific research: Research-only context; no operational production or handling guidance. Starting material in selected heavy-element research: Research-only context; no operational production or handling guidance. Berkelium is an artificial actinide made in tiny quantities. Its research value comes from nuclear and actinide chemistry, not from commercial bulk use.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Is berkelium radioactive?
Short answer: Yes. All berkelium isotopes are radioactive.
²⁴⁹Bk: Reference teaching isotope: Mass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass. Isotope evidence: Element-specific nuclear context: Half-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms.
Key point: Radioactivity is isotope-specific; do not apply one isotope’s nuclear behavior to every atom of the element.
Who discovered berkelium?
Short answer: Berkelium was first produced in 1949 by a team at the University of California, Berkeley.
In 1949, Stanley Thompson, Albert Ghiorso and Glenn Seaborg’s team produced berkelium at the University of California, Berkeley. The element name and discovery story are part of the historical record; search-led questions are answered without turning history into scientific evidence for bulk properties.
Key point: Discovery credit follows the historical evidence and accepted attribution, not just the earliest claim.
Scientific sources for Berkelium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Berkelium
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- IUPAC - Periodic Table of Elements
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