Atomic Number:	95
Atomic Symbol:	Am
Atomic Weight:	243
Electron Configuration:	[Rn]7s25f7

The lustre of freshly prepared americium metal is whiter and more silvery than plutonium or neptunium prepared in the same manner. Americium is a component of the smoke detector above. Americium appears to be more malleable than uranium or neptunium and americium tarnishes slowly in dry air at room temperature. Americium is a radioactive rare earth metal which must be handled with care to avoid contact, since it is a heavy a and g emitter. It is named after America. The a activity of 241Am is about three times that of radium. Americium is available to qualified users in the UK and in the USA.