Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Three New Elements Named

Scientists have agreed on names for three new elements.  Pity they didn't consult a linguist; some languages just do not join smoothly.  Ah well.  I'm still amused that this crossed my desk while I'm working on the atomic combinations for nether-Earth.

Tags: linguistics, news, science
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  • 10 comments
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ysabetwordsmith

Re: Semantics or Stubborness?

ysabetwordsmith

November 8 2011, 19:48:31 UTC 9 years ago

Yes, that was my thought.

Also there's a band of theoretical elements that scientists believe would be stable. They are hoping to build up enough critical mass by slamming stuff together that eventually it will chain up to those, and they'll get something really cool. But so far they're just getting moderately interesting flash-in-the-pan elements.
siege

Re: Semantics or Stubborness?

siege

November 8 2011, 19:54:17 UTC 9 years ago

I'm wondering if they've explored enough isotopes of the heavy elements already generated. Carbon, titanium, and iodine have radioisotopes, and there are isotopes of some radioactive elements which last for seconds and others which last for generations.

Personally, I think someone needs to develop a working theory of element stability, because not all heavy elements can be easily constructed in a stable configuration, even the ones scientists think will be stable.
ysabetwordsmith

Re: Semantics or Stubborness?

ysabetwordsmith

November 9 2011, 06:35:00 UTC 9 years ago

>>Personally, I think someone needs to develop a working theory of element stability, because not all heavy elements can be easily constructed in a stable configuration, even the ones scientists think will be stable.<<

That would be a useful theory, yes.

In nether-Earth, the elements are stable but not all of their combinations are; some break down very quickly. It makes things ... interesting.