Comments on: how do you edit the periodic table?

By: Kestukas

Kestukas — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:26:09 +0000

Nice picture – 3D visualisation… I like how it looks.

By: cturtle

cturtle — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:40:44 +0000

Ah, yes to read & comprendend those aspects of the Periodic Table!

First thing is note that part of the aspect of an element is that it is or forms [quote]arent they missing the possibility of finding a more stable form for the 112nd arrangement?[/quote]stability?

“Scientific EGO: a detour showing how grand (great we) they have become!”

By: Vincius

Vincius — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:21:48 +0000

Be welcome! I’m glad it pleases you adressing a curiosity my science teachers either never could or never wanted to satisfy.

By: ColonelFazackerlely

ColonelFazackerlely — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:09:24 +0000

Given how unstable the element is, I doubt much chemistry can be done with it.

I guess it would be of interest to physicists. The structure of the nucleus (protons and neutrons in various states interacting) is not understood as well as the atom (electron states around the nucleus).

It makes a nice point on the plot of proton number against neutron number

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NuclideMap_small_preview.jpg

but seems less useful on the periodic table.

By: gfish

gfish — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:19:19 +0000

“arent they missing the possibility of finding a more stable form for the 112nd arrangement?”

I’m sure there will be a research team that will try to find out just that while other labs focus on finding that outer limit. However, I’m not sure if the IUPAC would recognize it as the same element…

“why do the past-uranians have such a tiny life time, when just a few protons before they could last for thousands and thousands of years”

The heaviest naturally occurring element is plutonium which has a half-life of 24,100 years. Past that, element half-lives tend to get shorter and shorter. Exactly why is out of my grasp, but it probably involves the forces which keep atoms stable.

Come to think of it, this is a great post idea. Thanks Vinicius!

By: Forrester McLeod

Forrester McLeod — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:02:24 +0000

Good Morning!

I read the title of your post and the first thing that popped into my head was, “How do you READ the periodic table?” Ha! I’ve been taught. I forget. Started to just pass for today assuming this was out of my depth, then I remembered how gifted a writer you are. I’m glad I stuck around and read! I love this stuff. Thanks for making the circus-minds understand!

Have a Great One.

By: Vincius

Vincius — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:24:07 +0000

I know that atom’s stability depends on a fine balance within its core. When scientists get to form such an ephemeral piece of matter and come to the conclusion that yes, the 112nd element can last for a measurable amount of time, and just jump into trying to make new combinations for the 113rd element, aren’t they missing the possibility of finding a more stable form for the 112nd arrangement? The last numbers on the periodic table are isotopes; isn’t there any way to make another isotope that is more durable?

I never quite understood why the past-uranians have such a tiny life time, when just a few protons before they could last for thousands and thousands of years…