Californium (Cf) - Element 98 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Californium?
Californium (Cf) is element 98, a actinide in period 7. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 7s².
| Atomic Number | 98 |
| Symbol | Cf |
| Atomic Mass | 251 u |
| Category | Actinide |
| Period | 7 |
| Group | N/A (f-block) |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 7s² |
| Short Config | [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.3 |
| Atomic Radius | N/A |
| Ionization Energy | 608 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | N/A |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Californium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 7s². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s².
Californium is a f-block element, period 7.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Californium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.3.
Ionization Energy: 608 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Californium on the Interactive Periodic Table