A Potential New Member Added to the Periodic Table Family

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/science/made-in-lab-fleeting-element-may-join-periodic-table.html?ref=chemistry    

            A new element, that was discovered almost a decade ago by Russian and American scientists has recently been confirmed and may soon be added to the periodic table as element 115. However, people will not be able to see this element since it only lasts for a second. Element 115 was created in a laboratory and was recently confirmed at the Lund University in Sweden.
           In order to create element 115, scientists had to shoot calcium nuclei at a target that contained americium (element 95 on the periodic table) atoms. Then an atom, with 115 protons, is created with the unification of calcium and americium. However, the atom fell apart in less than a second. One-way scientists were able to determine the existence of element 115 was by the debris that remained from the reaction. They were also able to perceive an X-ray “fingerprint” that had been released when the atom was decaying which was evidence that the atom contained 115 protons. If the evidence is sufficient and convincing enough, then the scientist that discovered element 115 over a decade ago will be able to name it and will be added to the periodic table.
           I found this article to be interesting because we recently talked about the periodic table in class. As I read section 2.5 in our Chemistry: Atoms First textbook I was curious as to why they had blank slots for elements 113-118. I thought it would be pretty awesome if someone today were able to discover one of those elements. So when I researched for an interesting chemistry related article I came across this one and knew I had to share it with everyone.

Submitted by: Naomi Granados