Einsteinium - Periodic Table of Videos

Periodic Videos

23 Mar 202111:46

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses the intriguing history and chemistry of Einsteinium, an element discovered post a hydrogen bomb test. Initially named for Albert Einstein, it was produced in minuscule quantities, challenging its study due to intense radioactivity. Recent advances have enabled the creation and structural analysis of a coordination compound of Einsteinium, showcasing the element's unique cubic oxygen arrangement despite its radioactive nature, heralding a new era in understanding the chemistry of highly radioactive elements.

Takeaways

🌟 Einsteinium is named after Albert Einstein and was discovered as a result of the first hydrogen bomb test, the Ivy Mike test.
🔍 The discovery was made by Al Giorio and colleagues, including Glenn Seaborg, who detected about 200 atoms of the new element.
🛬 F-84 manned jet fighters were used to collect radioactive elements from the mushroom cloud on filter papers.
🧪 The initial discovery process involved meticulous work, but also a significant accident where a beaker exploded, scattering radioactivity.
📚 The discovery of einsteinium was kept a secret due to national security concerns, and the related research was only published two years later.
🤔 The naming process for einsteinium included a list of potential names, some of which were quite unusual, before settling on 'einsteinium'.
🔬 Einsteinium is now produced in reactors, such as the one at Oak Ridge, rather than through nuclear explosions.
⚡ Einsteinium is highly radioactive, with one gram capable of generating a kilowatt of power, which poses challenges for studying its chemistry.
🔑 Recent research has allowed scientists to create and determine the structure of a coordination compound of einsteinium, despite its intense radioactivity.
💎 The compound was studied using a synchrotron and X-ray spectroscopy, revealing that einsteinium in the compound is surrounded by eight oxygen atoms in a cubic arrangement.
🚀 This scientific achievement demonstrates the potential for further discoveries in the chemistry of highly radioactive elements with even smaller sample sizes.

Q & A

What element is Einsteinium and how was it discovered?
-Einsteinium is an element with atomic number 99. It was discovered as a result of the first test of a hydrogen bomb, the Ivy Mike test, which took place on an atoll coral island in the Pacific.
How were radioactive elements collected after the Ivy Mike test?
-Radioactive elements were collected by flying F-84 manned jet fighters through the mushroom cloud to gather samples on filter papers, which were then processed in laboratories to identify the elements.
What was the significance of detecting Einsteinium after the nuclear explosion?
-The detection of Einsteinium and other radioactive elements allowed scientists to determine the density and flux of neutrons produced during the explosion, which was crucial for understanding the physics of the bomb.
Who made the initial discovery of Einsteinium and what was the process like?
-The initial discovery of Einsteinium was made by Al Giorzo, a colleague of Glenn T. Seaborg. The process involved processing coral samples and detecting about 200 atoms of the new element.
What was the humorous incident involving Gary Higgins and Stan Thompson during the discovery process?
-Gary Higgins and Stan Thompson were working in a lab, concentrating a barrel of coral into a beaker. When the beaker exploded, scattering radioactivity, they simply cleaned up the mess and started over, demonstrating a relaxed attitude towards handling radioactive materials at the time.
Why was the discovery of Einsteinium kept a secret?
-The discovery of Einsteinium was kept secret because it provided information about the bomb's neutron production, which was a significant military secret. The information could have been used by adversaries to understand the bomb's design.
How was the name 'Einsteinium' chosen for element 99?
-The name 'Einsteinium' was chosen in honor of Albert Einstein. The scientists considered many other names but ultimately settled on this one due to its connection to Einstein and the significance of his work.
How is Einsteinium produced today?
-Einsteinium is not produced by bombs today. Instead, it is made in reactors, such as the one at Oak Ridge, which provides a high-intensity neutron flux necessary for creating Einsteinium, albeit in very small quantities.
What challenges does the high radioactivity of Einsteinium present for studying its chemistry?
-The high radioactivity of Einsteinium makes it difficult to study its chemistry because the atoms are constantly decaying and generating a lot of heat, which can destroy crystals and other materials.
What was the recent scientific breakthrough involving a coordination compound of Einsteinium?
-A recent scientific breakthrough involved the creation and structural analysis of a coordination compound of Einsteinium. Researchers used a synchrotron to analyze the compound with only about 300 nanograms of the element, revealing a structure where eight oxygen atoms surround the Einsteinium atom in a cubic arrangement.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Discovery of Einsteinium and its Historical Significance

The first paragraph delves into the discovery of Einsteinium, an element named after Albert Einstein, which was first detected as a result of the Ivy Mike nuclear test—the first hydrogen bomb test conducted on an atoll island in the Pacific. The process involved collecting radioactive samples from the mushroom cloud using F-84 jet fighters and analyzing them on filter papers at various laboratories. The initial discovery was made by Al Giorgi and his team, who, despite a mishap involving the explosion of a beaker containing radioactive material, managed to detect about 200 atoms of the unnamed element 99. The narrative highlights the secrecy surrounding the discovery due to its implications for nuclear weapon development and the eventual naming of the element after Albert Einstein.

05:02

📚 The Naming and Production of Einsteinium

The second paragraph discusses the secrecy and eventual naming of Einsteinium, along with Fermium, which were discovered simultaneously but kept under wraps for national security reasons. The paper detailing their discovery was only published two years later, with a unique acknowledgment to the designers of the thermonuclear weapon. The paragraph also covers the naming process, which included a list of proposed names, and the decision to name the element after Albert Einstein. It explains that modern production of Einsteinium occurs in reactors, such as the one at Oak Ridge, where high neutron flux is used to create minute quantities of the element. The challenges of studying Einsteinium's chemistry due to its high radioactivity and heat generation are also highlighted.

10:04

🧪 Recent Advances in Einsteinium Chemistry

The third paragraph presents recent scientific breakthroughs in the chemistry of Einsteinium. Despite the element's intense radioactivity, which complicates chemical studies, researchers have managed to create and analyze a coordination compound of Einsteinium. Using a 3D-printed plastic holder and synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy, they determined the structure of the compound, revealing an arrangement of eight oxygen atoms around the Einsteinium atom, resembling a cube. This achievement underscores the potential for further discoveries in the chemistry of highly radioactive elements and the remarkable capabilities of scientists to study minuscule samples.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Einsteinium

Einsteinium is a synthetic element with the symbol Es and atomic number 99. It was first discovered as a result of the Ivy Mike nuclear test in 1952. The element is named in honor of Albert Einstein. In the video script, Einsteinium is central to the discussion as it was produced in significant quantities for the first time through a nuclear explosion, highlighting its historical and scientific significance.

💡Nuclear Explosion

A nuclear explosion is a violent release of energy resulting from the sudden release of nuclear energy, typically through the fission or fusion of atomic nuclei. The script mentions the Ivy Mike test, which was the first successful test of a hydrogen bomb, as the event that led to the discovery of Einsteinium. This keyword is integral to understanding the origins of the element and the extreme conditions under which it was first detected.

💡Radioactive Elements

Radioactive elements are substances that emit radiation as they decay. In the script, the search for radioactive elements in the aftermath of the Ivy Mike test is described. These elements, including Einsteinium, were detected by the particles they emitted, allowing scientists to identify their presence despite the extremely small quantities involved.

💡F-84 Jet Fighters

F-84 Jet Fighters were used in the operation to collect samples from the Ivy Mike test's mushroom cloud. The script notes that manned aircraft were found to be as efficient and less costly than drones for this specific task. This detail provides insight into the methods used to collect the radioactive samples that led to the discovery of Einsteinium.

💡Filter Papers

Filter papers were used to collect traces of radioactive elements from the mushroom cloud. They were attached to the planes and later processed in laboratories to analyze the radioactive elements. The script mentions that these papers played a crucial role in the detection of Einsteinium, as they captured the radioactive particles emitted by the new element.

💡Neutron Flux

Neutron flux refers to the density of neutrons in a given volume per unit of time. The script explains that the detection of Einsteinium allowed scientists to calculate the neutron flux during the nuclear explosion, which was a closely guarded secret. Understanding neutron flux is key to appreciating the broader implications of the discovery for nuclear science.

💡Glenn T. Seaborg

Glenn T. Seaborg was an American chemist who co-discovered several synthetic elements, including Einsteinium. The script mentions him as a key figure in the discovery process, underlining his importance in the history of nuclear science and the development of new elements.

💡Synchrotron

A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that produces tunable X-rays. In the script, a synchrotron is used to analyze the structure of a coordination compound of Einsteinium. This technology allowed scientists to determine the arrangement of atoms around the Einsteinium atom, despite the challenges posed by its intense radioactivity.

💡Coordination Compound

A coordination compound consists of a central atom or ion bonded to a group of molecules or ions, known as ligands. The script describes the creation of a coordination compound of Einsteinium, which is a significant achievement given the element's radioactivity. The structure of this compound was determined using a synchrotron, showcasing the advancement in the study of radioactive elements.

💡Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge is the site of a national laboratory where Einsteinium is now produced in reactors, as mentioned in the script. The production process involves high-intensity neutron flux, which is necessary for creating such a synthetic and unstable element. This reference highlights the modern methods of producing Einsteinium and its ongoing relevance in scientific research.

💡X-ray Spectrum

An X-ray spectrum is the result of analyzing the diffraction or emission of X-rays by a sample. The script describes how the X-ray spectrum of the Einsteinium coordination compound was taken to determine its structure. This technique is crucial for understanding the arrangement of atoms in the compound, even when dealing with minute and radioactive samples.

Highlights

Einsteinium was discovered as a result of a nuclear explosion, specifically the first test of a hydrogen bomb, the Ivy Mike test.

F-84 manned jet fighters were used to collect radioactive elements from the mushroom cloud on filter papers.

About 200 atoms of einsteinium were initially detected, highlighting the sensitivity of detection methods for radioactive elements.

The discovery was made by Al Giorgi and colleagues, emphasizing the collaborative nature of scientific breakthroughs.

Anecdote about the accidental explosion in the lab and the casual recovery by scientists, illustrating the human side of scientific research.

The significance of einsteinium in calculating the neutron flux produced by the bomb, which was a closely guarded secret.

The discovery of element 99 and 100, fermium, was kept secret for two years before publication due to national security concerns.

The naming of einsteinium after Albert Einstein reflects the influence of scientific icons on new discoveries.

Einsteinium is now produced in reactors, such as at Oak Ridge, rather than through nuclear explosions.

The challenge of studying einsteinium's chemistry due to its high radioactivity and heat generation.

Recent advancements in creating a coordination compound of einsteinium, showcasing the ability to study its structure despite its radioactivity.

Use of a 3D-printed plastic holder and synchrotron X-rays to analyze the structure of einsteinium compounds.

The arrangement of eight oxygen atoms around the einsteinium atom in a newly discovered compound, resembling a cube.

The potential for further discoveries in the chemistry of highly radioactive elements, indicating ongoing research in the field.

The importance of acknowledging the design and construction of the thermonuclear weapon in the original publication.

A list of considered names for element 99, reflecting the process of naming new elements.

The practical implications of einsteinium's heat generation, such as the potential to boil water for a cup of tea.