Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Americium

Atomic number 95 means that every Americium nucleus contains 95 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Americium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 95 means that every Americium nucleus contains 95 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Americium.

Americium (Am) is chemical element 95. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in smoke detectors and scientific research.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 95 means that every Americium nucleus contains 95 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Americium.

Keep exploring

→ Americium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

95AmAmericium
Americium · Am · Z = 95

Americium (Am) is chemical element 95. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Americium (Am) is chemical element 95. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in smoke detectors and scientific research.

What its position in the table tells us

Americium sits in period 7 and the F block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.