Ununseptium - another new element created

[Lost_BMW]

Ununseptium. With 117 protons, it is the latest super-heavy element to be created in the laboratory.


http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscienc...

[FourWheelDrift]

I thought that was what Daniella Westbrook had after too much cocaine abuse.



Do we still have to fight little blue aliens to get it though?

[cazzer]

Pffth, not impressed. Shampoo and yoghurt manufacturers invent new elements about twice a week.

This is just boswellox

[glazbagun]

article said:

Finding ununseptium was a lengthy process. Two collision runs each lasting 70 days turned up just six atoms of the new element....

...Like its super-heavy mates, element 117 is quite short-lived, lasting just a fraction of a second

What on earth can you use to not only detect six atoms which don't even last a second, but determine their composition?

[EDLT]

So why do they want stable super-heavy elements anyway?

[Condieboy]

EDLT said:

So why do they want stable super-heavy elements anyway?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability

[carmonk]

glazbagun said:

article said:

Finding ununseptium was a lengthy process. Two collision runs each lasting 70 days turned up just six atoms of the new element....

...Like its super-heavy mates, element 117 is quite short-lived, lasting just a fraction of a second

What on earth can you use to not only detect six atoms which don't even last a second, but determine their composition?

They can detect the nature of particles lasting a billionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second, which is probably what they're referring to by 'a fraction' of a second. I think they can trace their paths through magnetic fields although I don't know if that applies to entire atoms.

[Lost_BMW]

EDLT said:

So why do they want stable super-heavy elements anyway?

Amongst other reasons (like "Knowledge is good!") see this:

Elements in this so-called island of stability could act as powerful nuclear fuel for future fission-propelled space missions. They might also be exhibit useful new chemical properties. Element 114, for example, has shown hints that it behaves like a gas at room temperature even though it should be a member of the lead family on the periodic table.


from the related link:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18510-weight...

[Godzuki]

EDLT said:

So why do they want stable super-heavy elements anyway?

Well, unless we study them, we won't find out, will we!

[Saddle bum]

Is it an isotope of Unobtainium?

[Lost_BMW]

Saddle bum said:

Is it an isotope of Unobtainium?

Well, it was until this year; close cousin of Unknownium too I hear.

[PJ S]

I recall reading Neverheardovim has potential of being a distant relative.