115, the Newest Element on the Periodic Table

[5555624]

The accompanying graphic of the Periodic Table has several errors: Lithium (Li) has an atomic number of 3, Protactinium (Pa) has an atomic number of 91, Lawrencium (at least they have Lr and not Lw) has an atomic number 103.

[eksith]

I thought I didn't have enough coffee! I had a double take at that too: H(1), He(2), Li(2), Be(4). Didn't even notice the other errors until you pointed them out.

[stinos]

I wish more articles were written like this: start reading, ask yourself x questions, only to see them answered while you keep reading, in a nice concise way, no more no less.

[yeukhon]

Any benefit for expanding the periodic table given these are "man-made" (which I believe could exist elsewhere in the universe...)?

[mistercow]

Well there are several reasons, but this is the coolest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability

Basically, current theory suggests that once they get to 120 protons or so, they'll start finding stable isotopes again (ones that don't decay for minutes or more). A handle on a door affords pulling, and a hypothesis affords testing, and all that.

Edit: I should add that 115 might actually be within the island, but you'd need far more neutrons, which is currently not feasible.

[glurgh]

That's the entire point of the periodic table - what makes it a 'periodic table' rather than 'a list of all the known (or 'found in nature') elements'. When originally conceived it included blank spots for yet un-isolated elements and some predictions about their properties could be made.

You find an element, it goes into the periodic table. Of elements.

[ars]

> (which I believe could exist elsewhere in the universe...)

They are unlikely to exist elsewhere except for a few moments (not even a second) after a supernova. A regular star will not make them, and they decay extremely fast.

[alokm]

Man-Made or not, At least they have existed. That should be enough to add it to periodic table. There is always a non zero probability that they might exist somewhere else in the universe.

[elyase]

Three reasons:

1- Scientific: Study of superheavy elements is related to the formation of elements in stars and ultimately to the origin of life.

2-Practical: Americium is a man made element which is used in smoke detectors.

3-Nuclear energy: In theory once the island of stability is reached it should be possible to have smaller and more powerful mini nuclear-plants which could fit into a watch.

[dnautics]

possible benefits as an energy storage medium once you get to the island of stability.

[lhl]

Wished the Swedish scientists played more video games. Elerium is a way cooler name than Ununpentium.

[chm]

The name will be decided by an international vote.

Ununpentium just means "115th element".

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

[deafbybeheading]

reference: http://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Elerium-115

[frobozz]

All of the elements >=104 started off with a similar temporary systematic name until a final name was chosen. It may well end up being called Elerium.

[zw123456]

Ununpentium means 115.

[6ren]

Oh, so they name those not yet discovered/synthesised by their number, as Unun­trium (113), Unun­pentium (115), Unun­septium (117), Unun­octium (118). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_table#Layout

[coldcode]

It needs a nice name. Hacknium.

[aegiso]

Sadly, to the general public, hacknium sounds a lot like rapeium.