Appearance and Characteristics
Harmful effects:
Berkelium is harmful due to its radioactivity.
Characteristics:
Berkelium is a silvery-white highly radioactive metal. It is chemically reactive, oxidizing slowly in air. The oxidation may be slow because of the initial formation of a thin protective oxide layer. (4a) Berkelium metal is dimorphic: double hexagonal close packed at room temperature and face centered cubic at higher temperatures. (4b) The metal dissolves rapidly in aqueous mineral acids, liberating hydrogen gas and forming Bk (III) in solution. (4c) Bk (III) ions are green in most mineral acid solutions. Bk (IV) ions are yellow in HCl solution. (4d)
Uses of Berkelium
Berkelium is of scientific research interest only.
Berkelium-249 is used as a target material for the production of heavier actinides such as lawrencium-260. (4e)