Californium (Cf): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Californium (Cf) is element 98 of the periodic table, an actinide in period 7 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Rn] 5f10 7s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2, and its most stable isotope has mass number 251.
▶ Watch Californium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableCalifornium at a glance
| Symbol | Cf |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 98 |
| Atomic mass | [251] u (most stable isotope) |
| Category | Actinide |
| Group | f-block (no group number) |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 5f10 6s2 6p6 7s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Rn] 5f10 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.3 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Californium on the periodic table?
Californium is in period 7 of the f-block, the actinide row printed below the main table. It has 7 electron shells, and this row is where the 5f subshell fills.
How to work out the electron configuration of Californium
Put 98 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁴ (70), 5d¹⁰ (80), 6p⁶ (86), 7s² (88), 5f¹⁰ (98). In shorthand, [Rn] stands for the 86 electrons of radon, giving [Rn] 5f¹⁰ 7s².
How electronegative is Californium?
Californium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.3, ranking 62 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Californium?
The electron configuration of Californium (Cf) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 5f10 6s2 6p6 7s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Rn] 5f10 7s2.
How many electrons does Californium have in each shell?
Californium has 98 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 28, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Californium?
Californium has no stable isotopes. Its most stable isotope has a mass number of 251.
Is Californium a metal?
Yes. Californium is an actinide.
Explore nearby elements
More actinides: Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium. See all elements on the periodic table.