superheavy elements
Lab-made atomic titans
Superheavy elements are chemical elements with atomic numbers above 103, created artificially in particle accelerators rather than found in nature.
These unstable atoms exist only briefly before decaying—sometimes for mere milliseconds.
Scientists synthesize them by smashing lighter nuclei together at high speeds: The lab announced a new superheavy element with 118 protons.
The search for an "island of stability" where superheavy elements might persist longer drives ongoing research.
Synthetic element, number 114
- rutherfordiumSynthetic element, number 104
- fermiumSynthetic actinide, atomic 100
- einsteiniumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-nine
- californiumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-eight
berkelium · curium · americium · plutonium · neptunium · uranium · transuranics · actinides
Unexplained literal values in code
- island of stabilityTheorized long-lived superheavy elements
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- nucleonsProtons or neutrons
- protonsPositive nuclear particles
neutrons · mass number · atomic number · relativistic effects · stability
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- alpha decayEmission of helium nuclei
- beta decayRadioactive nucleon transformation process
- gamma radiationHigh-frequency electromagnetic emission
- radioactivitySpontaneous nuclear decay
instability · radioisotopes · radionuclides · microseconds · milliseconds · short-lived
Device speeding subatomic bits
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- linear acceleratorStraight-path particle accelerator
- fusion reactionsNuclei merging, releasing energy
- cold fusionLow-temperature nuclear reaction hypothesis
cross-section · detection · discovery · confirmation · naming · credit · collaboration
flerovium
Synthetic element, number 114
- rutherfordiumSynthetic element, number 104
- fermiumSynthetic actinide, atomic 100
- einsteiniumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-nine
californium · berkelium · curium · americium · plutonium · neptunium · uranium · transuranics · actinides
magic numbers
Unexplained literal values in code
- island of stabilityTheorized long-lived superheavy elements
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- nucleonsProtons or neutrons
protons · neutrons · mass number · atomic number · relativistic effects · stability
half-life
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- alpha decayEmission of helium nuclei
- beta decayRadioactive nucleon transformation process
- gamma radiationHigh-frequency electromagnetic emission
radioactivity · instability · radioisotopes · radionuclides · microseconds · milliseconds · short-lived
particle accelerator
Device speeding subatomic bits
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- linear acceleratorStraight-path particle accelerator
- fusion reactionsNuclei merging, releasing energy
cold fusion · cross-section · detection · discovery · confirmation · naming · credit · collaboration
noble gas
Unreactive periodic table element
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- element groupsalkali metals, halogens, noble gases, transition metals, lanthanides
- Actinidesactinium, americium, berkelium, californium, curium
- hypothetical elements
superheavy elementscommon elements
Features appearing across multiple things
iron · lead · carbon · oxygen · noble gases
heavy, element, elements, heaviness, heavier, heavyweight, superheavy element, heaviest, superheavy