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The Bihar Police have arrested three persons from Gopalganj district and recovered 50 gm of the expensive radioactive substance ‘Californium’ worth crores from their possession
Californium
Californium is a silvery-white metal that tarnishes gradually when exposed to air at room temperature.
It is so soft and malleable that it can be sliced with a razor blade
Its spectral lines have been detected in supernova.
Chemical symbol of Californium is Cf and the atomic number is 98.
Created in 1950 at Berkeley, it is a powerful neutron emitter.
It is utilized in portable metal detectors to identify gold and silver ores, locate water and oil layers in wells, and detect metal fatigue and stress in airplanes.
Neutrons from Californium (Cf-252) are utilised to serve the treatment of brain and cervical cancers when radiation therapy proves futile.
Highly radioactive and extremely costly, Californium is priced at approximately Rs 17 crore per gram in the international market (one of the most expensive substances in the world).
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