Sources of Fermium uses and production & properties or extract

Sources of Fermium:

Fermium is a synthetic element that is not found naturally on Earth. It is produced in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

Uses of Fermium:

Fermium is primarily used for research purposes, particularly in nuclear physics and chemistry. Some potential applications of fermium include:

1. Neutron sources: Fermium is used in devices called neutron sources, which are used to study materials and biological samples.

2. Nuclear research: Fermium is used in studies of nuclear structure and properties.

3. Fundamental research: Fermium can be used to study the fundamental properties of matter and the behavior of particles at high energies.

Production of Fermium:

Fermium is produced through the nuclear bombardment of other elements, typically using a nuclear reactor or particle accelerator. This process typically involves the following steps:

1. Target preparation: A target material is prepared for irradiation in a nuclear reactor or particle accelerator.

2. Irradiation: The target material is irradiated with neutrons or other particles, which causes some of the target material to undergo nuclear transmutation and produce fermium.

3. Separation and purification: The fermium is separated from the other elements produced during irradiation and purified.

Chemical Properties of Fermium:

Fermium is a chemical element with the symbol Fm and atomic number 100. It is a highly reactive metal that can easily form compounds with other elements. Some of the key chemical properties of fermium include:

1. Oxidation states: Fermium can exist in a wide range of oxidation states, from +2 to +7.

2. Radioactivity: Fermium is highly radioactive and emits alpha and beta radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.

Physical Properties of Fermium:

Fermium has a number of physical properties that make it unique, including:

1. State: Fermium is a solid at room temperature.

2. Appearance: Fermium has a silvery appearance, but it quickly tarnishes in air.

3. Density: Fermium is a very dense metal, with a density of about 9.7 g/cm3.

4. Radioactivity: Fermium is highly radioactive and emits alpha and beta radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.