Fermium

Fermium • Actinide Rare Earth

Symbol: Fm
Date of discovery: 1953
Name origin: Enrico Fermi
Appearance: unknown
Discoverer: Albert Ghiorso
Obtained from: man-made

Melting point: 1800 K
Boiling point: unknown
Density[kg/m³]: unknown
Molar volume: unknown
Protons/Electrons: 100
Neutrons: 157
Shell structure: 2,8,18,32,30,8,2
Electron configuration: [Rn]5f127s2
Oxidation state: 2,3
Crystal structure: unknown

Fermium is named after nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi and has no known uses outside of basic research. This element was discovered in the debris of the first hydrogen bomb test. Code-named Mike, this bomb was tested as part of Operation Ivy for the purpose of upgrading the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons. It was detonated on Elugelab Island, yielding 10.4 megatons of explosive power and completely obliterating the island. A team of scientists found fermium in the debris after the explosion, but due to Cold War concerns, kept its discovery a secret until 1955.