Californium (Cf)
Californium is element 98, a actinide in period 7 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a solid.
Electron configuration [Rn] 5f10 7s2
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2
Californium data
| Atomic number | 98 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Cf |
| Atomic mass | [251] (mass number of the longest-lived isotope) |
| Category | Actinide |
| Group | — (f-block) |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1173 K (899.9 °C) |
| Boiling point | — |
| Density | 15.1 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.3 |
| Atomic radius | — |
| 1st ionization energy | 608 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | — |
| Oxidation states | +2, +3, +4 |
| Common ion charge | 3+ |
| Discovered | 1950 |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through californium’s configuration and its ions →
Where californium sits
Californium belongs to the actinides. Its Pauling electronegativity of 1.3 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Californium FAQ
What is the electron configuration of californium?
Californium (Z = 98) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6 5f10 7s2. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Rn] 5f10 7s2.
How many valence electrons does californium have?
2 (2 in the outer s subshell).
What is the atomic mass of californium?
Californium has no stable isotopes. Its most stable known isotope has mass number 251, so tables list [251].
Is californium a metal?
Yes. Californium is a actinide.
What is the charge of a californium ion?
Californium most commonly forms Cf3+.