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Chapter 4: Problem 10

Write a paragraph describing in your own words how synthetic elements are created. Discuss what modification has to be made to the equipment in order to synthesize super-heavy elements.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Synthetic elements are created by bombarding a heavy element with a lighter one, resulting in an artificially produced heavier element. The modification of equipment for synthesizing super-heavy elements involves upgrading the energy levels of the particle accelerator and using precise, fast detectors to identify the super-heavy elements immediately after creation before they decay.

Step by step solution

01

Describe the creation of synthetic elements

Synthetic elements are not naturally occurring and are produced artificially in a laboratory setting. This is achieved through a process known as nuclear reactions. A common method used in the creation of synthetic elements is the act of bombarding a heavy element with a lighter one using a particle accelerator. This causes the nuclei of the two elements to combine, or undergo fusion, creating a heavier synthetic element.
02

Discuss the production of super-heavy elements

Super-heavy elements are synthetic elements that have an atomic number greater than 104, extending beyond those naturally existing on the periodic table. The creation of these elements typically requires high-energy particle accelerators. These machines exert immense speed and force to smash particles together, aiming to fuse the nuclei and create an even heavier element.
03

Explain the necessary modifications

To produce super-heavy elements, modifications and advancements to the equipment are necessary. First and foremost, there needs to be an increase in the energy level of the machine. This is crucial because synthesizing higher-numbered elements requires more force to overcome the repulsion between the nuclei due to the larger positive charges. Additionally, very precise and fast detectors are necessary to identify the super-heavy elements, which exist only momentarily before they decay into lighter elements. Both these modifications aid in the creation and detection of super-heavy elements.

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