californium
noun
cal·i·for·ni·um
ˌka-lə-ˈfȯr-nē-əm 
: a radioactive chemical element with atomic number 98 that is produced artificially from the decay of berkelium and that is used chiefly as a neutron source in radiography and to start nuclear reactors see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of californium in a Sentence
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But the chase for 120 is on hold until researchers obtain the amount of californium—a rare element produced in high-flux nuclear reactors—needed for 120’s target.
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Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 12 Feb. 2021
Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 12 Feb. 2021
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“Californium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/californium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
californium
noun
cal·i·for·ni·um
ˌkal-ə-ˈfȯr-nē-əm
: an artificially prepared radioactive element see element
Medical Definition
californium
noun
cal·i·for·ni·um
ˌkal-ə-ˈfȯr-nē-əm
: an artificially prepared radioactive element discovered by bombarding an isotope of curium with alpha particles
—symbol Cf
see Chemical Elements Table
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