Exploring Unknown Elements: Fact or Fiction?

In summary, an expert summarizer would say that while it is possible that new elements exist on other planets, there is no evidence to suggest that they have ever existed on Earth, and even if they did, they would have long since decayed into lighter elements.
  • #1
Tyler Wayne
12
0
I've heard chatter about possible new elements on other planets and even hidden on our own, Could this be possible?
 
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  • #3
Alright, thanks for answering.
 
  • #4
Borek said:
No.

We do our best to synthesize transuranium elements but they are very unstable. Even if they ever existed on Earth, they long decayed into lighter elements.

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

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

We do, but we do it the wrong way, because it is the only way we can.

Starting from bismuth, half-life 10*19 years
next is polonium, longest half-life 103 years, of isotope 209
next, now odd number element is astatine, longest half-life 8,1 hours, of isotope 210
Radon is an even element. Radon 211 has half-life 14,6 hours. Radon 212 has half-life 24 minutes, 213 in milliseconds, 214 less than μs...

No isotope of over 215 nucleons can last a μs, right? No point of attempting to reach next period? No possibility of elements past 88 or 89 ever having existed even in stars?


Wrong. Radon 222 has half-life of 3,8 days. Thorium 232 has half-life of 14 milliard years.

But how could you ever make radon 222 from stable bismuth 209?
You need to add 3 protons and 10 neutrons. No stable lithium 13 exists.

How would you even know that there is long-lived radon 222 to synthesize?

Now have a look around element number 100.
Californium has short-lived isotopes 253, 255 and 256, which undergo beta decay. 256 has half-life 12 minutes - nothing known about 257.
Einsteinium 257 has half-life 7,7 minutes, and undergoes beta decay. Es-258 has 3 minute half-life, but the very decay path is unknown. Es-259 also unknown (NOT known and verified short-lived).

Fermium has no known beta active isotopes.

Md has most massive isotope, Md-260, half-life 26 days. Md-261 unknown
No and later - no known beta active isotopes.

The elements from Cf on may have unknown, neutron-rich isotopes long lived by comparison to the known proton-rich isotopes.

Pu-244 has half-life 80 million years. It has been searched in nature. Probably in vain - the experiments which did report success may have made errors.

If elements past 98 do have long-lived, presumably neutron-rich isotopes which we cannot make, but nature can, then half-lives over 100 million years are not ruled out by evidence.
 
  • #5
100 million years half life is not enough for the isotope to survive in substantial amounts on Earth, as the Earth is around 4 billions years old. 0.540 is around 10-12.

While I agree with you there is more to the problem than my short answer suggests, it is better for OP to start with the basic understanding of the processes involved. You know, walking before running and so on.
 

What are unknown elements?

Unknown elements are elements that have not yet been discovered or fully studied by scientists. They may exist in nature or be artificially created in a laboratory.

How do scientists explore unknown elements?

Scientists use various methods to explore unknown elements, such as spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and particle accelerators. These techniques allow them to analyze the properties and behavior of elements that have not yet been fully understood.

Why is it important to study unknown elements?

Studying unknown elements can provide valuable insights into the structure of matter and the fundamental laws of the universe. It can also lead to the discovery of new materials and technologies that can benefit society.

What is the difference between an unknown element and a fake element?

An unknown element is a real element that has not yet been discovered or fully studied, while a fake element is a fictional or imaginary element that does not exist in the real world.

Can unknown elements be dangerous?

Unknown elements can potentially be dangerous, as their properties are not fully understood. It is important for scientists to carefully study and handle these elements in a controlled environment to avoid any potential risks.

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