Element 118 and the way of forgiveness

2001/08/06 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Fisika
• Kimika

Two years ago, physicists at the University of Berkeley caused some crypton atoms to collide with a lead sheet. In this experiment it was discovered that a very heavy atom was formed, the heavier until then detected. Weight of atom unit of atomic mass 118 m.u.a. It was.

The heavier element of nature is uranium, 92 m.u.a. However, through nuclear collisions, man has created other heavier atoms, such as plutonium. However, the nuclei of these atoms are not stable, that is, they are radioactive, they dissolve very quickly and are therefore very difficult to detect.

This new element detected by American physicists was detected once, but since then they have not been able to repeat the experiment. Therefore, scientists have come to the conclusion that what they saw two years ago was not element 118 and have requested public apologies in the specialized journal Physical Review Letters. To applaud.