Americium

Symbol: Am

Atomic Number: 95

Atomic Weight: (243)

Americium (symbol Am, atomic number 95) is an element of the actinide series, which is named after the element Actinium. It is found under the element europium in the periodical table and was named after the continent America for convenience. The synthetic element was first produced in 1944 by a team of researchers from the University of California. It is most commonly produced by directing alpha particles toward uranium or plutonium in nuclear reactors. Minute quantities of Am are found in used nuclear fuel.

Like the element that gave its name to the series, of which Am is part, this...Read More