[Chemistry Class Notes] Fermium Pdf for Exam

Fermium is a metal with an atomic number of 100. It is synthetic. The symbol representing fermium is Fm. Fermium is a radioactive element found in the actinide series of the periodic table. Many elements are created when neutrons of lighter elements bombard. Fermium is the heaviest of all those elements.

In the first-ever successful hydrogen bomb test, fermium was discovered. It was named after one of the greatest nuclear physicists, Enrico Fermi. However, it was Albert Ghiorso who discovered the element.

Till now, nothing huge has been discovered about fermium. However, scientists predict that fermium is an element that might be sensitive to air, steam and acid. Another fact about this metal is that it does not retain a vast half-life.

What Are Actinides?

The first element of the actinide series, Actinium, gives the name ‘Actinide’. Actinide series is represented by ‘an’. Actinide series comprises 15 elements ranging from 89 to 103. The elements of this series are Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium, Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium, Nobelium, and Lawrencium.

Properties of Fermium

1. Fermium symbol- Fm

2. Group- actinides

3. Period- 7

4. Blocking

5. Fermium atomic number- 100

6. Atomic mass of fermium- (257) gmol-1

7. State at 20°C- Solid

8. Electronic configuration of fermium- [Rn] 5f127s2

9. Isotopes- 257Fm

10. Fermium boiling point- Unknown

11. Melting point- 1527°C, 2781°F, 1800 K

12. Fermium Density (g cm-3)- Unknown 

13. Fermium mass number- 257 u

14. Fermium colour- Silvery-white

Chemical Properties of Fermium

1. Reaction with Water – Very little amount of Fermium is generated, so fermium’s behaviour with water is still unknown. However, it is predicted that it might resemble that of the element erbium (present just above fermium in the periodic table).

2. Reaction with Acids – Since only a small amount of fermium is generated, its reactivity with acids is unknown. However, scientists predict that fermium might be susceptible to acids.

3. Reaction with Air – A very minor amount of fermium is generated, so it’s still to be discovered how it reacts with air. However, scientists predict that fermium might be sensitive to air.

4. Reaction with Bases – Fermium’s reactivity with bases is not known due to the generation of a minor amount of fermium. It is predicted that it might be the same as that of erbium which is present immediately above fermium in the periodic table.

5. Reaction with Halogens – Reactivity of fermium is yet to be discovered. However, it is predicted that it might resemble that of erbium, the element just above fermium in the periodic table.

Uses of Fermium 

• It is known that fermium is generated in a minor amount, and all the isotopes have extremely short lives. So, there are no such commercial uses of fermium.

• Scientists are using fermium for experiments. As there are many facts yet to be discovered about this element, therefore, scientists are still experimenting on fermium to get a broader horizon of knowledge about fermium.

Fun Facts on Fermium

There are still many things left to be discovered about Fermium. However, there are certain facts about fermium that are known currently.

• Fermium does not occur naturally. So, it does not have any hazardous fact or effect on health.

• Presently, fermium can be found in very small quantities. If neutrons of plutonium are bombarded inside a nuclear reactor, fermium can be attained in small quantities. 257Fm and other isotopes can be generated by this process.

• It is known that fermium does not occur naturally any longer. However, earlier fermium was known to have been generated in natural nuclear reactor deposits.

• Fermium has no role in the biological world. It is radioactive and hence toxic.