Is Element 120 Achievable?

In summary, Element 120, also known as unbinilium, is a hypothetical element that has not yet been achieved in a laboratory setting. It is predicted to be a highly unstable and radioactive element, with a potential half-life of only a few milliseconds. While some research has been done on creating this element, it has not been able to be successfully produced and therefore remains unconfirmed. The creation of Element 120 would require advanced technology and techniques, making it a challenging and complex task for scientists.
  • #1
pierce15
315
2
I've just been reading a little bit about attempts to create element 120 back in 2007. Do you guys think that it will be possible to create such an element?
 
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  • #2
Yes it would be - how long it will hold together is another issue.

2011 attempt
http://www-win.gsi.de/tasca/news/news_archive.htm
 
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  • #3
Here's a question: is there a minimum amount of time it has to be "stable" to be considered synthesized?

Or even if the two parent elements are stuck together for 10^-44 seconds does it still count as synthesized? What are the exact requirements for it to be official?
 
  • #4
There is no obvious sharp line. In particle physics, the decay width has to be small compared to the mass, otherwise it is called a resonance (or not considered an object at all).
It should be similar to use a similar criterion for nuclear physics, probably with the binding energy of the order of MeV (per nucleon) as reference.

All discovered elements have isotopes which are long-living relative to that criterion.
 
  • #5
Ok, so I guess the general consensus is that it will be possible to synthesize the element, albeit the half life may be tiny (by the way, if the half life is less than a Planck time, is there any way we could know it formed?). Do you think this would be an ion with 118 electrons, our do you think that 2 more electrons could be added to another orbital?
 
  • #6
piercebeatz said:
Ok, so I guess the general consensus is that it will be possible to synthesize the element
Did anyone actually say that? If you read the Wikipedia articles on production of superheavy elements, you'll be impressed with the great difficulties involved. Nothing is guaranteed!

piercebeatz said:
(by the way, if the half life is less than a Planck time, is there any way we could know it formed?)
The Planck time is related to quantum gravity, not got anything to do with nuclear physics. The shortest time that a nuclide could be said to exist is about 10-23 sec, the time it takes light to cross a nuclear diameter. It would take this long for a nuclide to form after the collision.

piercebeatz said:
Do you think this would be an ion with 118 electrons, our do you think that 2 more electrons could be added to another orbital?
The production uses heavy ions as projectiles, e.g. Iron-58, so there would be fewer electrons present. The nuclear collision would be expected to strip any remaining electrons.
 
  • #7
piercebeatz said:
Do you think this would be an ion with 118 electrons, our do you think that 2 more electrons could be added to another orbital?
If it is long-living enough, it can collect 120 electrons from the environment. For superheavy nuclei, the orbital structure changes significantly - it is unclear if element 118 behaves like a noble gas, so it is unclear if 120 would react similar to radium and barium.
 
  • #8
piercebeatz said:
Ok, so I guess the general consensus is that it will be possible to synthesize the element
Bill_K said:
Did anyone actually say that?
Well I said that it would be possible ... but I wouldn't say it is a general consensus.
It's more like we proceed as if we knew it were possible, by the particular means used that time, and see what happens.
What happens tells us stuff about the models we used - we build these super-heavy atoms, not for themselves, but to test our physics.

So far we don't know that it isn't possible either... the consensus answer would be: "nobody knows".
 
  • #9
National Geographic had a brief article on some of the folks searching for heavy elements.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/05/125-element-hunters/dunn-text
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/05/125-element-hunters/new-elements-graphic

How to make an element - http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/05/125-element-hunters/element-kitchen

See Island of Stability
 

1. What is element 120 and why is it significant?

Element 120, also known as unbinilium, is a hypothetical superheavy element with an atomic number of 120. It is significant because it would be the next element in the periodic table, completing the 8th row and expanding our understanding of the properties of heavy elements.

2. How is element 120 synthesized?

Element 120 can be synthesized through nuclear fusion reactions, where two lighter elements are combined to form a heavier element. In particular, scientists are currently exploring the possibility of using a fusion reaction between calcium and plutonium to create element 120.

3. What challenges are faced in synthesizing element 120?

The main challenge in synthesizing element 120 is the extreme instability and short half-life of superheavy elements. This makes it difficult to study and confirm its existence. Additionally, the high energy required for the fusion reaction and the low probability of successful fusion events also present challenges.

4. Has element 120 already been synthesized?

No, element 120 has not yet been synthesized. While there have been claims of its creation in the past, these have not been confirmed by the wider scientific community. Scientists continue to work towards creating and confirming the existence of element 120.

5. What are the potential applications of element 120?

The potential applications of element 120 are still unknown, as it has not yet been synthesized and studied in depth. However, it is believed that it could have properties similar to other superheavy elements, which could potentially have uses in nuclear energy, medicine, and materials science.

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