The periodic table currently contains 118 confirmed elements, ending with the recently discovered oganesson (element 118). As scientists continue to synthesize new superheavy elements, many wonder if there will eventually be a 119th element added to the periodic table.
How are new elements discovered and added to the periodic table?
New elements are synthesized by nuclear fusion reactions, in which atomic nuclei are collided at extremely high speeds in particle accelerators. If the nuclei fuse and form a new, stable atomic nucleus, a new element has been discovered.
In order for a new element to be added to the periodic table, its discovery must be confirmed by independent laboratories. The criteria for confirming a discovery include:
- Detecting atoms of the new element
- Measuring the atomic and nuclear properties of the new element
- Determining if the new element behaves chemically like other elements in its predicted group
If these criteria are met, the discoverers can propose a permanent name and symbol for the new element, which must be approved by the international body IUPAC before being added to the periodic table.
How many more elements could exist?
Based on current physics theories, it is predicted that the periodic table could potentially contain up to 172 elements before reaching an “island of stability”, where nuclei with extremely high atomic numbers become stable again.
However, synthesizing additional new elements becomes increasingly difficult due to challenges including:
- Short half-lives – Heavier elements become increasingly unstable and decay too quickly to detect and measure.
- Low production rates – Heavier elements are only produced in a small fraction of fusion reactions.
- Repulsive forces – The positively-charged protons in larger nuclei repel each other, making them difficult to fuse.
Due to these challenges, predictions vary on the maximum number of elements that could realistically be discovered, ranging from 120 to 140.
What is the latest candidate for element 119?
Currently, there are no confirmed discoveries of element 119. However, there are ongoing efforts to synthesize it.
The frontrunner is an international collaboration working at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Russia. This team first synthesized element 117 (tennessine) in 2010 and element 118 (oganesson) in 2002.
In recent years, they have conducted experiments aimed at fusing calcium and curium to produce element 119. While the decay patterns detected align with predictions for element 119, additional experiments are needed to confirm its discovery.
When could element 119 be discovered and named?
Based on the rate of recent discoveries, some predictions for discovering element 119 include:
- 2025-2030 – Optimistic timeframe if current experiments progress quickly.
- 2035-2040 – Pessimistic timeframe if current approaches face setbacks.
- Beyond 2040 – If new technological innovations are required to produce and detect it.
However, physics breakthroughs or limitations could accelerate or hinder this timeline. Other labs may also join the race to discover element 119 and leapfrog current efforts.
If element 119 is discovered, the JINR team has first rights to propose a permanent name. Some potential names matching conventions for recent elements include:
- Moscovium – After Moscow region where JINR is located.
- Rutherfordium – After physicist Ernest Rutherford.
- Flyorium/Flerovium – After physicist Georgy Flyorov who founded JINR.
What would be the properties of element 119?
If discovered, element 119 is predicted to have the following atomic and chemical properties:
| Property | Predicted Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 119 |
| Atomic symbol | Uue |
| Atomic weight | 294 u |
| Group in periodic table | 1 (Alkali metals) |
| Period in periodic table | 8 |
| Electron configuration | Og 5g18 6f14 7d10 8s2 8p1 |
| Oxidation states | 1 |
| Electronegativity | 0.7 |
| Atomic radius | 270 pm |
| Ionization energy | 470 kJ/mol |
| Electronic shell structure | Og 5g18 6f14 7d10 |
| Crystal structure | Body-centered cubic |
| Melting point | 75 K |
| Boiling point | 350 K |
| Density | 12.9 g/cm3 |
However, experimental measurements would be required to confirm these predicted values if element 119 is discovered.
What would be the uses of element 119?
As an alkali metal, element 119 would likely have few practical uses outside of scientific research due to its radioactivity and short half-life. However, some potential applications if it could be produced in large quantities include:
- Scientific research – New superheavy elements advance our understanding of the theory of atomic nuclei and quantum physics at the subatomic level.
- Thermoelectric devices – Its electronegativity and oxidizing properties could make it useful for thermoelectric power generation.
- Quantum computing – Its electron configuration with closed shells could make it useful for constructing qubits.
- Nuclear medicine – Radioactive isotopes could potentially be used for imaging and treating diseases like cancer.
However, all applications would be severely limited by its instability and tiny yields from synthesis. As with past superheavy elements, the priority would be furthering scientific knowledge rather than practical uses if discovered.
Conclusion
The discovery of element 119 would mark a new milestone in the history of the periodic table. Based on current progress, its discovery appears plausible within the next 10-20 years, although physics barriers could delay or prevent its synthesis.
Confirming the existence of this next superheavy alkali metal would provide new insights into nuclear structure and stability at the cutting edge of the periodic table. While prospects for applications are limited, element 119 would certainly join the ranks of superheavy elements whose names are immortalized in the periodic table.