What Element Is Named After Marie Curie?
Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 10:00:43 AM ET
The element curium is named after both Pierre and Marie Curie. The Curies discovered the elements polonium and radium; Marie was awarded the Nobel Prize for these discoveries in 1903. Curium was named in honor of their contributions to the field of radioactivity.
Curium is a radioactive solid metal. Its atomic symbol is Cm, and its atomic number is 96. It was produced by scientists working at UC-Berkeley in 1944 who bombarded plutonium-239 with alpha particles. Curium has only been produced in milligram amounts, so no commercial use has been discovered. Several compounds have been created by scientists, such as curium dioxide, curium chloride, curium iodide and curium bromide. These compounds are primarily used for basic research.
More From Reference
What Features Does Infinite Campus Offer for Students?
Stay Up-to-Date in 2021 With These Custom Photo Calendar Ideas
How to Change Your Mailing Address Online
10 Must-Watch TED Talks That Have the Power to Change Your Life
Strange Americana: Does Video Footage of Bigfoot Really Exist?
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Will Change In-Person Retail Shopping in Lasting Ways