Though the space for element 112 in the periodic table currently says 'Uub' this is just an abbreviation for ununbium, from the Latin roots for one ('un') and for two ('bi'). Ununbium was just a placeholder for the real element.
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SYDNEY: Scientists have created a new, superheavy element with an atomic number of 112. It is around 277 times heavier than hydrogen.
Officially recognised this week by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the as-yet-unnamed element is the heaviest in the periodic table and the first officially recognised since 2004.
Sigurd Hofmann, of the Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany, and head of the team that discovered it, said he is "delighted… [it] has been officially recognised."
Long process
Hoffmann's lab first produced element 112 in 1996, but it has taken over 12 years to complete the necessary steps to officially prove their finding. These steps include the independent creation of the element by another team and a thorough understanding of how the atom decays.
Though the space for element 112 in the periodic table currently says 'Uub' this is just an abbreviation for ununbium, from the Latin roots for one ('un') and for two ('bi'). Ununbium was just a placeholder for the real element.
"During the next few weeks, the scientists of the discovering team will deliberate on a new name for the element," said Hoffmann.
The heaviest naturally occurring element is uranium. But by smashing together atoms of other elements, scientists have been able to artificially create heavier elements. Since 1940, this has resulted in 25 new elements in the periodic table.
In the blink of an eye
Part of the reason it took so long to prove the existence of the element is that only miniscule numbers of the atoms have ever been made.
Element 112 was created by firing a beam of charged zinc ions – travelling at 10% the velocity of light – at lead atoms inside a particle accelerator. The zinc and lead combine upon collision, resulting in an atom consisting of 112 protons and 166 neutrons.
Element 112 has a boiling point of around 300 °C, making it a liquid at room temperature, said Hoffman. In group 12 of the periodic table, it is likely to have properties similar to zinc, cadmium and mercury. You have to be quick to observe it, though. With a half-life of just 0.24 milliseconds, sensitive measuring devices are needed to detect it.
Excitement
This is very exciting, just opening up more opportunities for more fabulous discoveries!