Periodic table / Curium

Overview

Curium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Cm and atomic number 96. This element of the actinide series was named after Marie and Pierre Curie – both were known for their research on radioactivity. Curium was first intentionally produced and identified in July 1944 by the group of Glenn T.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Curium is [Rn] 5f7 6d1 7s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 25, 9, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Curium is classified as a actinide. It has an atomic mass of 247 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as silvery metallic, glows purple in the dark.

Real-world uses of Curium

Seaborg at the University of California, Berkeley.

Interesting facts about Curium

• Curium has the atomic number 96 and chemical symbol Cm.
• It belongs to period 7, group 3 of the periodic table.
• Curium was discovered by Glenn T. Seaborg.

Explore Curium interactively

Want to compare Curium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Cm to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.