Californium is a rare synthetic metal that’s extremely valuable. This substance is fascinating because of its rarity. Learn the basics about this metal with 5 interesting facts. The element was created by smashing together curium-242 with alpha particles in a cyclotron particle accelerator.
5 Californium Facts
1. Californium is a radioactive metal. (Source)
It must be produced in a nuclear reactor, making it a radioactive and toxic metal. It can only be prepared in milligram amounts after the bombardment of plutonium-239.
2. Californium is silvery-white. (Source)
The metal is malleable, which means its so soft it can be sliced up with a razor blade. It’s chemically reactive tarnishes at room temperature.
3. Californium is one of the most expensive substances in the world. (Source)
It’s worth an astounding $765,436,299 per ounce because of how rare but useful it is.
4. Californium is used by the nuclear, oil, and material scanning industries. (Source)
Californium is used in neutron emissions in the process of well logging. It can help locate water and petroleum in oil wells. It’s also used in radiographs.
5. Californium was first produced in 1950. (Source)
A company called Seaborg produced it at the University of California Radiation Laboratory. The state gave the element its name.
