Scientists have made a breakthrough in creating a new superheavy element, known as element 120 or unbinilium. This element would be so heavy that it would require a new row on the periodic table to accommodate it. Currently, there are 118 known elements on the periodic table, ranging from hydrogen to oganesson. However, researchers believe there are even heavier elements in the universe waiting to be discovered.
Two promising candidates for these superheavy elements are element 119, ununennium, and element 120, unbinilium. These elements are so massive that they do not fit within the existing seven rows of the periodic table and would need to be added to a new eighth row. Despite multiple attempts, these elements have not yet been synthesized.
In a recent study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, researchers demonstrated a new technique for creating the superheavy element livermorium by bombarding plutonium-244 with vaporized ions of titanium. They believe this same technique can be used to create unbinilium by shooting titanium ions at isotopes of californium, a heavier element than plutonium. This study serves as an important proof of concept for the potential creation of element 120.
However, the process of creating superheavy elements is challenging and time-consuming. It took over 22 days to create just two atoms of livermorium in the lab. The researchers estimate that creating unbinilium could take even longer, possibly up to ten times more time than element 116. Despite the difficulties, the scientists are optimistic about the feasibility of creating unbinilium.
One of the key goals in creating these superheavy elements is to reach an “island of stability.” This is a theoretical region where superheavy elements could exist in a relatively stable state, defying the typical rapid decay of such heavy isotopes. Scientists believe that unbinilium has the potential to reach this island of stability, opening up new avenues for research in superheavy element chemistry.
While the researchers are confident in their ability to eventually create unbinilium, they acknowledge the uncertainties that come with pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. The behavior of superheavy elements at the edge of the periodic table is still largely unknown, and there is no guarantee that these elements will behave as expected.
In conclusion, the quest to create a new superheavy element like unbinilium represents a significant advancement in the field of chemistry and nuclear science. If successful, the creation of element 120 could expand our understanding of the periodic table and unlock new possibilities for scientific exploration in the realm of superheavy elements.