Einsteinium - Periodic Table of Videos

Summary

The 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.