Jakarta, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Scientists are making strides toward adding a new element to the periodic table, with a focus on element 120. Currently, the periodic table contains 118 elements, each defined by its number of protons. For example, hydrogen has one proton, while oganesson has 118.
The quest to explore the limits of atomic physics has driven researchers to target the creation of element 120. If successful, this new element could mark a significant milestone in our understanding of chemistry and physics.
According to Gadget 360, the strategy to create element 120 involves using titanium ions in particle accelerators. Researchers plan to collide these ions with californium atoms, which have 98 protons.
Since titanium has 22 protons and californium has 98, their collision is theoretically expected to produce element 120, which would have a total of 120 protons. This approach is innovative because titanium beams have not previously been used to create such heavy elements. Success depends on the precise management and direction of these high-energy particles.
In recent experiments, scientists directed titanium ions at plutonium, which has 94 protons, to create livermorium, an element with 116 protons. Over a 22-day period, the team detected two atoms of livermorium after particle collisions.
These results suggest that titanium beams could be a viable tool for creating new heavy elements. However, researchers expect that producing element 120 will be much more challenging and time-consuming, potentially requiring up to ten times longer than the livermorium experiments.
Historically, creating elements beyond 118 has involved using calcium-48 beams. Calcium-48, an isotope with 28 neutrons, has been used in various experiments to push the boundaries of the periodic table. However, this method has limitations, especially due to the rapid decay of target materials.
By switching to titanium-50 beams, researchers hope to use more practical target materials, potentially overcoming the constraints posed by faster-decaying elements.
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Creating new elements is a complex process that requires meticulous experimentation. The shift to using titanium ions represents a promising new approach to discovering elements beyond those currently known.
As research continues, scientists hope that element 120 will soon join the periodic table, offering new insights into atomic physics and expanding our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter. This advancement not only promises to enhance our knowledge of chemistry but also pushes the boundaries of what is possible in scientific research.
(Ray)
