Neptunium
Actinide · atomic number 93
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NpNeptunium
Neptunium is a chemical element with symbol Np and atomic number 93. A radioactive actinide metal, neptunium is the first transuranic element. Its position in the periodic table just after uranium, named after the planet Uranus, led to it being named after Neptune, the next planet beyond Uranus.
Properties of Neptunium
| Element category | Actinide |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 93 |
| Atomic mass | 237 u |
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f4 6d1 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 22, 9, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.36 |
| Melting point | 912 K (639 °C) |
| Boiling point | 4447 K (4174 °C) |
| Density | 20.45 g/cm3 |
| Discovered by | Edwin McMillan |
← Uranium · Periodic table · Plutonium → Pu
About the actinide group
Mostly radioactive, heavy metals — several made only in reactors — whose fission powers nuclear energy and weapons.
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