- #1
Sorthal
- 8
- 0
With all news of element 117 being a step closer to the Island of stab
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of the "Island of Stability" in nuclear physics, particularly in relation to superheavy elements like element 117. Participants explore theoretical aspects, stability of isotopes, and the implications of current research on these elements.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant asks about the workings of the Island of Stability.
- Another participant describes the stability of isotopes using a color-coded graph, suggesting that stability decreases as one moves away from the center of the island.
- A different participant appreciates the graph and questions the existence of a corresponding lower end of the stability spectrum.
- Concerns are raised about the theoretical nature of much of the graph, noting that isotopes have not yet been synthesized and questioning whether there are enough neutrons for stability.
- One participant mentions that superheavy elements do not appear to be as stable as previously hoped, referencing various sources for further information on element 117 and the elusive element 118.
- A participant expresses intent to look up additional information and return to the discussion.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views regarding the stability of superheavy elements, with some acknowledging the theoretical nature of current models while others highlight the lack of empirical evidence for certain isotopes. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the stability of these elements.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the theoretical basis of the stability graph, the uncertainty regarding neutron counts for isotopes, and the unresolved status of element 118's existence.
- #2
Sorthal
- 8
- 0
How does this island work?
- #3
ChrisVer
Science Advisor
- 3,372
- 465
what's the meaning of the question?
By different colors you denote different stabilities...
So you see regions closer to a line are more stable than the ones around them, and that stability falls as you go from the inside to the outside...
So illustratively (I liked this one) you get something like an island (deeper in the land you are more stable, and as you move outside you "drop" closer to the sea/depths)
By different colors you denote different stabilities...
So you see regions closer to a line are more stable than the ones around them, and that stability falls as you go from the inside to the outside...
So illustratively (I liked this one) you get something like an island (deeper in the land you are more stable, and as you move outside you "drop" closer to the sea/depths)
- #4
klasse35
- 6
- 0
Sorthal,
thankyou for sharing this illustrative chart.
that's a very nice graph of the upper end of the table of Elements and Isotopes.
I suppose, there is also somewhere the lower end to be found ?
As Nr. 117 is already more or less in the middle of that little island of semistables,
there are obviously more buns in the avon ?
thankyou for sharing this illustrative chart.
that's a very nice graph of the upper end of the table of Elements and Isotopes.
I suppose, there is also somewhere the lower end to be found ?
As Nr. 117 is already more or less in the middle of that little island of semistables,
there are obviously more buns in the avon ?
- #5
mfb
Mentor
- 37,450
- 14,317
A large part of this graph is purely theoretical, as the isotopes have not been synthesized yet.
While the proton number might be right for the island, it is unclear if there are enough neutrons to reach it. The produced isotopes have lifetimes of milliseconds - well in agreement with the isotopes of lighter elements nearby, so no sign of an island has been found yet.
Wikipedia article with more details.
While the proton number might be right for the island, it is unclear if there are enough neutrons to reach it. The produced isotopes have lifetimes of milliseconds - well in agreement with the isotopes of lighter elements nearby, so no sign of an island has been found yet.
Wikipedia article with more details.
- #6
Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
2025 Award
- 22,591
- 7,554
The superheavy elements do not appear to be as stable as hoped.
http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/features/2014/new-sighting-of-superheavy-element-117
http://www.ornl.gov/science-discovery/nuclear-science/research-areas/isotopes/super-heavy-element-discovery
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/superheavy-element-117-island-of-stability/
There are claims for Element 118 (ununoctium, Uuo):
http://www.webelements.com/ununoctium/
The yield is so small, the it is virtually impossible at this point to verify the existence of 118. An announcement during 1999 of 118 was later retracted.
http://enews.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/118-retraction.html
http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/features/2014/new-sighting-of-superheavy-element-117
http://www.ornl.gov/science-discovery/nuclear-science/research-areas/isotopes/super-heavy-element-discovery
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/superheavy-element-117-island-of-stability/
There are claims for Element 118 (ununoctium, Uuo):
http://www.webelements.com/ununoctium/
The yield is so small, the it is virtually impossible at this point to verify the existence of 118. An announcement during 1999 of 118 was later retracted.
http://enews.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/118-retraction.html
Last edited by a moderator:
- #7
klasse35
- 6
- 0
Thanks I’ll look it up n return later.