Curium-242 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of the element Curium, which is part of the actinide series in the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 96 and is produced through the neutron capture process in nuclear reactors. Curium-242 has a half-life of about 162.8 days, decaying primarily through alpha decay. This isotope is used in various scientific applications, including research in nuclear physics and as a potential fuel source in nuclear reactors. Due to its radioactivity, handling Curium-242 requires strict safety protocols to protect against radiation exposure.