Science & Nature · 2

Which chemical element was officially named in honor of physicist Enrico Fermi, just one year after his death in 1954?

Answer

Fermium

Fermium (atomic number 100) was identified in debris from the 1952 'Ivy Mike' thermonuclear test and formally named in 1955 to honor Enrico Fermi, who had died the previous year.

💡 Did you know?

Fermium was named after Enrico Fermi just one year after his death in 1954, making it one of the fastest posthumous element honors.

Other options people guess

  • Einsteinium
  • Curium
  • Mendelevium

Topics

  • chemistry
  • elements
  • physics
  • periodic-table

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