Curium

Curium is a radioactive element in the actinide series of the periodic table, symbolized as Cm and with atomic number 96. Discovered in 1944, it is named after scientists Marie and Pierre Curie, known for their work on radioactivity. Curium is produced in nuclear reactors and has applications in nuclear research and as a power source for space probes. It emits alpha particles, which are a type of radiation, making it important for scientific studies but also requiring careful handling due to its radioactivity.