Hypothetical stable isotope of Promethium?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical creation of a stable isotope of Promethium, exploring the theoretical implications and challenges involved in such an endeavor. Participants engage in speculative reasoning about the properties and potential applications of Promethium isotopes, particularly in the context of artificial synthesis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what number an artificial stable isotope of Promethium would need to have, noting that Promethium-147 is semi-stable.
  • Several participants assert that no isotope of Promethium is stable, emphasizing the inherent instability of all known isotopes.
  • Another participant speculates on the possibility of creating an artificial stable isotope, referencing the concept of femtotech and its potential to alter the periodic table.
  • A participant clarifies that changing nuclear properties chemically is not feasible, and challenges the characterization of Promethium-147 as "semi-stable," citing its half-life.
  • There is a consensus that nature would need to change its physics for a stable isotope of Promethium to exist, suggesting a fundamental limitation to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that no stable isotopes of Promethium exist, but there is disagreement on the feasibility of creating an artificial stable isotope and the implications of such an endeavor.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the speculative nature of the discussion regarding artificial isotopes and the reliance on theoretical concepts like femtotech, which may not have practical applications or established methodologies.

Maximum7
Messages
124
Reaction score
11
TL;DR
Discussing theoretical chemistry and what would it take to make artificial Promethium
Say one was to create an artificial stable isotope of Promethium as it has predicted applicable properties. What would it’s number have to be? I know Promethium-147 is semi-stable.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
No isotope of promethium is stable.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
No isotope of promethium is stable.
I’m aware. I was asking how; if they could make an artificial one. If it’s completely impossible fine; but I was thinking speculatively. Ray Kurzweil often said femtotech could create a new periodic table.
 
Maximum7 said:
Summary: Discussing theoretical chemistry and what would it take to make artificial Promethium

I know Promethium-147 is semi-stable.
There is nothing that one could do 'chemically' to change the nuclear properties of a nucleus.

I would not consider 147Pm with a half-life of 2.6234 y as being "semi-stable", nor 146Pm (half life = 5.53 y), nor 145Pm (half life = 17.7(4) y).

As V50 indicated, there are no stable isotopes of Pm.

Nature would have to change its Physics, which is beyond the realm of humanity.
 

Similar threads

Astatine's Interactions with Ion Exchange and Chromatography Resins
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Radioactivity and the Periodic Table
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
Why wasn't fluorine used as a standard for atomic mass?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Naturally Occurring Elements: the latest version
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
Undergrad Is there no stable isotope of Tungsten?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Are no chemical elements truly stable?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
Undergrad Decay constant of Different Elements and Isotopes?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad What is theoretically the heaviest isotope that the R-process could produce?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Can K2N2H2++ be produced through a first-principles approach?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Graduate Different stable nuclear spins for the same isotope
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K