Berkelium is a synthetic element with the symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It was first discovered in 1949 by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. Berkelium is part of the actinide series and is radioactive, meaning it is unstable and emits radiation as it decays. This element is produced in very small amounts through the bombardment of americium with neutrons. Berkelium has limited practical applications, primarily in scientific research, where it is used to study the properties of heavy elements. Due to its radioactivity, handling berkelium requires special precautions.