How are new elements discovered?
Quick Answer
Scientists usually discover new elements by accelerating atomic nuclei and fusing them with target atoms. If the nucleus sticks together briefly, it creates a new, heavier element that is detected by its radioactive decay.
The Full Story
New elements are typically made in heavy-ion accelerators, where ions are fired at a target made of another element. If the nuclei fuse, a superheavy nucleus forms, often for only milliseconds or less before decaying. Researchers identify the new element by measuring the decay products and matching them to known decay patterns. Facilities such as JINR in Dubna, Russia, and laboratories in Japan, Germany, and the United States have played major roles in these discoveries. Element 117, tennessine, was confirmed in 2010 and named in 2016 after Tennessee and the Oak Ridge region.
Key Facts
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"Making a brand-new element one atom at a time"
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