Nobelium

Nobelium is a radioactive, synthetic actinide metal with no natural deposits. Researchers make it a few atoms at a time in particle accelerators by bombarding heavier elements such as curium with accelerated ions. Its short-lived isotopes decay quickly, so the element has no practical or commercial uses. Instead, scientists study tiny samples to understand the chemistry of the heaviest actinides. Experiments in solution show an unusual feature: nobelium’s +2 oxidation state is more stable than its +3 state, unlike that of most actinides. These studies help test how chemical behavior changes in very heavy atoms.