Cesium

Symbol CsAtomic number 55
Atomic mass
132.905
Thermal conductivity
0.359
Atomic radius
3.34
Covalent radius
2.35
Density
1.87
Atomic volume
71.07
Melting point
301.55
Oxidation states
1
Boiling point
952
Stable isotopes
1
Heat of vapor.
67.74
Electronegativity
0.79
Heat of fusion
2.092
First ionization
3.894
Specific heat
0.24
Electrical conduct.
...
Electron configuration

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Cesium

The compounds of cesium are similar to those of potassium. This presents a particular hazard when radioactive cesium-137 contaminates the soil, as it did near Chernobyl. Growing plants require large amounts of potassium, and concentrate it from the soil. Since cesium mimics potassium, the radioactive cesium is also taken up and reconcentrated. The result is that plants grown on contaminated soil may contain a much higher concentration of radioactive cesium than the soil in which they are grown.

The electron configuration of cesium consists of one lone 6s electron outside a perfectly symmetrical core of 54 other electrons characteristic of the noble element xenon. This fact has made it the foundation for mankind's best clock, the cesium atomic clock.

Atomic dataNuclear data
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Periodic Table

Chemistry concepts

Reference
Pauling
Ch. 26
 
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Cesium Nuclear Data

Z
A
Atomic
Mass (u)
Nuclear
Mass(GeV/c2)
Binding
Energy(MeV)
Spin
Natural
Abund.
Half-life
Decay
Q
MeV
55
133
132.905429
123.7735
1118.6
7/2
1.00
stable
...
...
55
135
134.905885
125.6369
1134.3
7/2
...
2.3My
b-
0.21
55
137
136.907074
127.5011
1149.3
7/2
...
30.17y
b-
1.17

Cesium-137 is one of the most dangerous of the fission fragments from uranium-235 fission.

Atomic data
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Chemistry concepts

Reference
Rohlf
 
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