Chemical elements are the fundamental building blocks of all matter in the universe. Each is defined by the number of protons in its atoms and organized on the periodic table. While many elements occur naturally on Earth, others are created through human ingenuity.
Understanding Synthetic Elements
Synthetic elements are chemical elements that do not occur naturally on Earth, exclusively produced in laboratories through sophisticated nuclear reactions. These elements are typically heavier than uranium (atomic number 92), as elements with lower atomic numbers generally exist in nature.
The creation process often involves accelerating lighter atomic nuclei to immense speeds and then smashing them into heavier target nuclei. Scientists use devices like particle accelerators and nuclear reactors for this. In these facilities, subatomic particles or entire atoms are propelled and collided, causing their nuclei to fuse. This fusion results in the formation of a new, heavier nucleus, representing a new element.
The Number of Synthetic Elements
Currently, 24 recognized synthetic elements do not occur naturally on Earth. These elements span from americium (atomic number 95) to oganesson (atomic number 118), the highest atomic number known. They were first created and identified between 1944 and 2010. A few other elements, such as technetium (43), promethium (61), neptunium (93), and plutonium (94), were initially synthesized but later found in minute, trace quantities in nature. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) handles the official recognition and naming of new elements, updating the periodic table as discoveries are confirmed.
The Purpose of Creating Synthetic Elements
Scientists create synthetic elements primarily to expand the understanding of the fundamental limits of matter. By synthesizing increasingly heavy elements, researchers explore how atomic nuclei hold together and what forces govern their stability. This research helps to deepen knowledge of nuclear physics and the structure of the atom itself.
A significant motivation is the search for the “island of stability,” a theoretical region where superheavy elements might exhibit much longer half-lives than those currently observed. Most synthetic elements are extremely unstable, decaying within fractions of a second. Finding a more stable superheavy element would provide opportunities for further study. Their creation is driven by fundamental scientific inquiry rather than immediate practical applications, given their short existence and minuscule production quantities.