Flerovium facts for kids
Flerovium is a special chemical element that scientists have created. Its symbol is Fl and its atomic number is 114. This means it has 114 protons in its atoms. Flerovium is known as a superheavy element. It is also radioactive, which means its atoms break down over time.
You won't find Flerovium in nature. It's a synthetic element, meaning it must be made in a lab. Scientists create it using a special process called nuclear fusion. This happens when they combine plutonium and calcium atoms.
Discovering Flerovium
Scientists first created Flerovium in December 1998. A team of researchers at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, announced their discovery in January 1999. This same team managed to create Flerovium again in 2004 and 2006.
In 2004, the scientists at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research confirmed their findings. They used a different method to make Flerovium. They also studied the particles left behind when Flerovium atoms broke down. This helped prove that they had indeed made a new element.
When it was first discovered, the element was called Ununquadium. But on May 30, 2012, its name was officially changed to "Flerovium". The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) gave it this new name. They named it after Georgy Flyorov, a famous Russian physicist.
What Flerovium is Like
Scientists have not been able to make much Flerovium. Because of this, it's hard to measure its exact physical or chemical properties. However, based on predictions, scientists think Flerovium would be a soft, heavy metal. It might also change color when exposed to air. It is also thought to have a low melting point, possibly around 200 °C.
How Flerovium is Made
To create Flerovium, scientists use a process called bombardment. They take a special piece of plutonium (specifically, plutonium-244). This piece acts as a target. Then, they shoot a powerful beam of ions at it. These ions are made from calcium-48. When the calcium-48 ions hit the plutonium-244 target, they can fuse together. This fusion creates new, heavier atoms of Flerovium.
See also
In Spanish: Flerovio para niños
