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Unbinilium facts for kids

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Unbinilium is a special element that scientists believe might exist, even though they haven't made it yet. It's like a puzzle piece that's still missing from the periodic table. Its atomic number is 120, and its temporary symbol is Ubn. Sometimes, it's also called eka-radium. These names are just placeholders until scientists officially name it. Unbinilium is expected to be an alkaline earth metal, similar to elements like magnesium or calcium. It would be the second element in the eighth row (or "period") of the periodic table.

What is Unbinilium?

Unbinilium is called a hypothetical element because it's only been thought about, not actually created or found. Its name, Unbinilium, and its symbol, Ubn, are temporary. They were given by a group called IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). These names will be used until scientists successfully make the element and give it a permanent name.

Unbinilium has an atomic number of 120. This number tells us how many protons are in the nucleus of an atom of that element. It is expected to be an S-block element and an alkaline earth metal. This means it would have properties similar to other metals in that group, like calcium or strontium. It would also be the second element in the eighth row of the periodic table.

Trying to Make Unbinilium

Scientists have not yet been able to synthesize (which means to make or create) Unbinilium. Making new, very heavy elements is extremely difficult.

Early Attempts

  • In 2011, a German team from the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research tried to make Unbinilium. They thought they might have created a form called 299Ubn, but they couldn't confirm it.
  • Other teams from Russia, Japan, and France also planned experiments between 2017 and 2020.
  • These experiments showed that elements in the eighth row of the periodic table are very hard to create.

The Island of Stability

Scientists believe that Unbinilium might be the heaviest element that can be made using today's technology. They are looking for something called the "Island of Stability." This is a theory that some very heavy elements, even though they are usually unstable, might be more stable if they have a certain number of protons and neutrons. Unbinilium is thought to be near this "Island of Stability."

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Unbinilio para niños

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