PBS Nova ScienceNOW Island of Stability

Summary

The video script delves into the quest to expand the periodic table by creating new elements. It follows nuclear chemist Ken Moody, who aims to synthesize element 114, believed to be part of an 'island of stability' with a doubly magic nucleus. The script explains the challenges of adding protons and neutrons to atoms, the repulsive forces involved, and the theoretical stability of certain configurations. Moody's experiments, in collaboration with Russian scientists, nearly reached this 'island,' but fell just short. The script highlights the potential implications of discovering such elements, including new materials and insights into nuclear physics.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The periodic table lists all known elements, each defined by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its atoms.
• 🌌 Elements are created by stars, the Big Bang, or scientists in laboratories, with the last naturally occurring element being uranium (atomic number 92).
• 🏆 Dr. Glenn Seaborg won a Nobel Prize for creating more elements than anyone else, pushing the periodic table to elements 94 through 102.
• 🔍 The 'sea of instability' refers to the difficulty in creating elements beyond a certain point due to the increasing repulsive forces between protons.
• 🎯 The concept of 'magic numbers' in nuclear physics suggests that certain configurations of protons and neutrons can lead to greater stability in atomic nuclei.
• 🌟 The 'island of stability' is a theoretical region where superheavy elements with a magic number of protons and neutrons could exist stably, potentially for extended periods.
• 🤔 The quest for element 114 involves combining plutonium (94 protons) with calcium (20 protons) to achieve the desired atomic number.
• 🧪 Experiments to create new elements involve using particle accelerators to collide atomic particles at high speeds, akin to a 'bowling' analogy where a successful collision results in a new element.
• 🏝️ Moody's team, in collaboration with Russian scientists, nearly reached the island of stability with element 114 but fell short of the necessary neutron count for maximum stability.
• 🔮 The discovery of superheavy elements could have profound implications for nuclear physics, potentially revealing new materials or properties that could have practical applications.

Q & A

What is the significance of the periodic table in chemistry?

The periodic table is a chart that lists all known elements, with each element being unique due to the number of protons in its atoms, known as its atomic number. It is a fundamental tool in chemistry for organizing and predicting the properties of elements.

Why can't we simply add more protons to an atom to create new elements?

Adding more protons to an atom is not straightforward because of the increasing repulsive forces between protons, which are positively charged. This repulsion makes it difficult to bind additional protons to the nucleus, and the resulting elements may be unstable with short half-lives.

Who is Ken Moody and what is his role in the story?

Ken Moody is a nuclear chemist who has dedicated over two decades to the quest of discovering new elements, particularly element 114, at the upper reaches of the periodic table.

What is the 'sea of instability' mentioned in the script?

The 'sea of instability' refers to the theoretical region beyond element 102, where it becomes increasingly difficult to create and maintain stable elements due to the repulsive forces between protons and the short half-lives of the created elements.

What is the concept of 'magic numbers' in the context of the nucleus?

Magic numbers refer to specific configurations of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus that result in a more stable arrangement. These numbers are considered 'magic' because they provide a greater degree of stability to the nucleus than other configurations.

Why is element 114 considered potentially stable despite its large size?

Element 114 is predicted to have a doubly magic nucleus, meaning it has the right number of both protons and neutrons to achieve maximum stability. This configuration suggests that it could be incredibly stable, possibly even long-lived enough to be held in hand.

What is the 'island of stability' and why is it significant?

The 'island of stability' is a theoretical region in the periodic table where superheavy elements with complete shells of protons and neutrons are predicted to be stable. It is significant because it represents a frontier in nuclear physics and could lead to the discovery of new elements with unique properties.

How did Glenn Seaborg contribute to the discovery of new elements?

Glenn Seaborg was a pioneer in the creation of new elements, particularly those beyond element 92 (uranium). He won a Nobel Prize for his work and created more elements than any other human, using techniques that involved adding protons to existing nuclei.

What is the process of combining atoms to create a new element called?

The process of combining atoms to create a new element is called nuclear fusion. In the context of the script, this is achieved by accelerating atoms and causing them to collide at high speeds, potentially fusing together to form a new element.

What was the outcome of Moody's team's experiment in 1998 regarding element 114?

In 1998, Moody's team, in cooperation with Russian scientists, was able to create an isotope of element 114 with 114 protons but fell short of the 184 neutrons needed for double magic stability. They were close to achieving stability but did not quite reach the island of stability.

What are the potential implications of discovering element 114 with the right number of neutrons?

Discovering element 114 with the correct number of neutrons could lead to the creation of a stable superheavy element, which could have properties and uses that are currently unknown. It would also provide significant insights into nuclear physics and the nature of atomic stability.