Fermium is a chemical element with the symbol Fm and atomic number 100. It is a synthetic element and belongs to the actinide series of elements in the periodic table. Fermium is a highly radioactive metal that is not found naturally on Earth in significant amounts.

Key Characteristics of Fermium:

1. Radioactivity: Fermium is an extremely radioactive element, and all of its isotopes are unstable. Its most stable isotope, fermium-257, has a relatively short half-life of about 100.5 days. Fermium emits alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma radiation during its radioactive decay.
2. Occurrence: Fermium is not found naturally on Earth. It is a synthetic element produced in nuclear reactors or through neutron bombardment of other elements, such as plutonium.
3. Chemical Properties: Fermium is a reactive element and readily forms compounds with oxygen, halogens, and other elements. It exhibits various oxidation states, with the +2, +3, and +4 states being the most common. Due to its high radioactivity, fermium is challenging to handle and study.
4. Applications: Due to its extreme radioactivity and limited availability, fermium has very few practical applications. It is primarily used for scientific research purposes, particularly in the study of nuclear reactions and the behavior of heavy elements.
5. Biological Role: Fermium is highly radioactive and poses a significant health hazard. It has no known biological role and is toxic to living organisms.

Fermium’s synthetic nature, high radioactivity, and limited availability make it primarily of interest to researchers in nuclear science for fundamental studies. Its use is mainly focused on advancing our understanding of nuclear reactions and the behavior of heavy elements. Due to its extreme radioactivity, fermium requires strict handling protocols and safety precautions.