If Ununoctium could be perhaps denser than water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of a gas being denser than water, specifically focusing on the hypothetical density of Ununoctium (element 118) in its natural state. Participants explore the behavior of various noble gases and their densities compared to water, as well as the implications of these observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the behavior of noble gases in balloons, suggesting that heavier gases like Xenon and potentially Radon would sink, leading to the question of Ununoctium's density compared to water.
  • Another participant states that under certain conditions, many gases can be denser than water, but clarifies that they meant in a natural state.
  • A technical calculation is presented estimating Ununoctium's density at standard temperature and pressure (STP), concluding that it would be 13.13 g/L, which is still below the density of water.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the concept of bubbles under water, with one participant questioning the feasibility of a "sinking bubble."
  • A later reply reiterates the initial question about Ununoctium's density, suggesting that while it could be denser than water based on trends, the limited synthesis of Ununoctium makes definitive conclusions difficult.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the density of gases, with some agreeing that Ununoctium could theoretically be denser than water based on trends, while others emphasize the limitations of current knowledge and experimental data. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the actual density of Ununoctium in its natural state.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the synthesis of Ununoctium, which has only been produced in very small quantities, affecting the ability to draw definitive conclusions about its properties.

Ununnonium
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I was wondering, is it possible to have a gas denser than water? I once saw a video where they had 6 balloons. The first contained Helium and when released, it floated to the ceiling. The neon did the same. Argon slowly floated down. Krypton was interesting to see but not as much as the Xenon. The Xenon fell stait to the ground without a bounce as it is nicknamed, "The Lead Balloon". They had no Radon although. :frown: . I'm assuming if one were to follow the pattern, Radon would be rediculusly sink and that lead me to wonder if Ununoctium could be perhaps denser than water. Any thoughts?
 
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Well, under the right circumstances many gasses are denser than water, such as in a tank of compressed gas.
 
I meant in its natural state
 
Ununnonium said:
and that lead me to wonder if Ununoctium could be perhaps denser than water.
Why would you assume it to [possibly] be more dense than water?
Water, after all, is fairly dense (1 kg / Liter).

If we approximate the gas to be an ideal gas (and what better gas to approximate this on than a noble gas), then we can estimate its density at STP by assuming that 1 mole of the gas has a volume of 22.4 Liters.
1 mole of the element #118 (provisionally named, "Ununoctium") has a molar mass of 294 g/mol of its theoretical most stable isotope.

Density = mass / volume
For 1 mole at STP,
Density = (294 g) / (22.4 Liters)
Density = 13.13 g/Liter
Which is a pretty high density for a gas, but it is still well below the density of water.
 
So it is possible to have a bubble under water?
 
Ununnonium said:
So it is possible to have a bubble under water?
Where else do you usually have bubbles...? :rolleyes:

[sorry couldn't resist]
 
:) A sinking bubble?
 


Ununnonium said:
I was wondering, is it possible to have a gas denser than water? I once saw a video where they had 6 balloons. The first contained Helium and when released, it floated to the ceiling. The neon did the same. Argon slowly floated down. Krypton was interesting to see but not as much as the Xenon. The Xenon fell stait to the ground without a bounce as it is nicknamed, "The Lead Balloon". They had no Radon although. :frown: . I'm assuming if one were to follow the pattern, Radon would be rediculusly sink and that lead me to wonder if Ununoctium could be perhaps denser than water. Any thoughts?

According to that trend, ununoctium could be denser than water but we would probably not know since the only ununoctium ever synthesized was only 3 (mabye 4) atoms of Ununoctium-294 with a half-life of 890 microseconds.
That is a very interesting idea though.
 


Way to revive a 4 year old thread. lol
 

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