The researchers have introduced four newly discovered elements in periodic table
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry has finally welcomed in the periodic table family the symbols of four new additions. The chemical elements also received their official names: Moscovium, Organesson, Nihonium, and Tennesine. Their numbers are 115, 118, 113, and 117 respectively.
This historical breakthrough is actually the result of a long period of hard work that lasted for eight years, starting from 2002 and ending in 2010. Afterwards, it took five years for this research to be officially recognized by IUPAC. In June of 2016, the institution has also received the suggested names for the four newly discovered elements.
Even though the breakthrough was already entirely acknowledged, the institution delayed the periodic table from adopting the superheavy elements for another five months. During this time, the public was able to familiarize itself with the new findings. It was only on November 30th that the chart officially got heavier.
As tradition requires, each name has its own significance that usually revolves around the country or city where they were discovered or the scientists that led the research. In this case, Nihonium that is represented by the Nh symbol, received its title from the Japanese team of researchers. The word “Nihon” actually means Japan in their language.
Furthermore, Moscovium or Mc comes from the capital of Russia, Moscow, and it was given by a team of both American and Russian scientists. Tennesine, the element with the Ts symbol, comes from the southeastern state of the United States, namely Tennessee. As for the element 188, it was named after a renowned element hunter, Yuri Oganessian. His discovery ended up to be one the heaviest elements in the periodic table.
Since the atomic numbers of all four newly discovered elements are bigger than 92, they can be categorized as transuranium. This attribute makes them unstable, and they can decay into other elements. They are also untraceable in nature as they can only be obtained in laboratory conditions.
This good news is grand in the eyes of all scientists around the world and it opens the door to further researches. The periodic table will continue to enrich its elements with new and exciting discoveries. Until then, how do you find the names of these four superheavy elements?
Image source: 1
Share this:
