Curium (element)

Curium is a man-made chemical element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96. It belongs to the actinide series and is radioactive, meaning its atoms are unstable and decay over time, releasing energy. Curium was first synthesized in 1944 through nuclear reactions and is primarily used in scientific research, especially in developing nuclear reactors and understanding radioactive materials. It does not occur naturally in significant amounts and must be produced in specialized nuclear reactors. Due to its radioactivity, handling curium requires strict safety measures, and it has no widespread commercial applications but contributes to scientific advancements in nuclear science.