berkelium

1 9.9

A rare metal element that gives off radiation and is made in tiny amounts in labs

noun
/ˈbɜr.kəˌli.əm/

Specialized

: berkelio

Only minute amounts of berkelium have ever been made due to its rarity and complexity.

Examples

Because berkelium is highly radioactive, it must be handled with extreme care.
Did you know berkelium is radioactive?
Researchers produced berkelium by bombarding americium with alpha particles in the lab.
Berkelium is a fascinating element!
Berkelium, a radioactive element with the symbol Bk, was first identified in 1949.
Scientists use berkelium in research to study its properties and potential applications.
The discovery of berkelium expanded our understanding of the actinide series in the periodic table.

Surface Forms

berkelium singular

berkeliums plural

Morphology

berkelium = Berkeley (semi-transparent) = berkeley + ium

Form shows the place name 'Berkeley' + the element‑naming suffix '-ium', so the word clearly denotes an element named after Berkeley but the form does not convey properties like radioactivity.

Etymology

Berkelium is named after the city Berkeley, where scientists first made it in the lab, and the ending -ium marks it as an element. So, berkelium is the radioactive element discovered at Berkeley.