How are new synthetic elements made in laboratories?
Quick Answer
Scientists create synthetic elements by smashing atomic nuclei together in particle accelerators. The new nucleus must survive long enough to be detected, which is why many superheavy elements last only fractions of a second.
The Full Story
Synthetic elements are produced by nuclear fusion in controlled experiments, usually by accelerating one nucleus into another. Laboratories such as the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States have helped discover many superheavy elements. These atoms are identified by their decay chains rather than by direct observation alone. Elements 113, 115, 117, and 118 were officially recognized by IUPAC in 2015 and 2016 after repeated experiments confirmed them.
Key Facts
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