How Can Scientists Create New Elements?

If elements are the fundamental substances that constitute matter, how can we make more?

By Adam Hadhazy
Jul 31, 2014 12:00 AMNov 3, 2019 7:30 PM
table-of-elements
isak55/Shutterstock

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Q: If elements are the fundamental substances that constitute matter, why do scientists create new ones? Doesn’t this process create an “element” that is not actually a fundamental substance?  — Greg Dembowski, Millburn, N.J.

A: All matter is composed of the chemical elements on the periodic table — even the supposedly man-made ones. In nature, the most common heavy element is uranium. It has 92 protons in its nucleus. The 26 heavier elements we know of so far, going up to 118 protons, were synthesized in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, effectively created from the pieces and energy of other elements. Scientists pursue these new superheavy elements to better understand the limits of matter. 

But nature is just as capable of making these “fundamental substances,” too. For example, researchers created plutonium (94 protons) in a lab in 1940 and ’41. The element later turned up in uranium ore deposits, where natural radioactivity can produce traces of plutonium. Alternatively, supernovae — the explosions of massive stars — could create and spew out these monster elements.

The superheavies don’t last long, though, decaying into other elements (through radiation) within days or even seconds. Therefore, such mega-elements do not persist long enough for us to have ever documented them in the natural world.

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 LabX Media Group