Not all the elements on the periodic table exist in nature. Some can only be created in a laboratory because they are so unstable, or radioactive, that they decay rapidly into other elements as they emit protons and neutrons. These elements are “superheavy,” meaning that they are at the end of the periodic table with the largest atomic numbers. For almost a century scientists have been creating and discovering new synthetic elements to add to the periodic table. On New Year’s Eve, four new elements were officially recognized. Atomic numbers 113, 115, 117, and 118 completed the 7th period (or row) of the periodic table! These elements were especially challenging to discover because they only existed for a few milliseconds. So if they occurred in nature, they would only occur in the initial moments of the Big Bang before disappearing.
Issue 21 – New Elements (.pdf)
Please review this lesson using this quick 5 minute, 10 question survey.
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- NPR News broadcast (~2 min)
- Radioactive decay video/mini-lesson (~6 min)
- M&M radioactive decay activity (.docx) – with Answers: M&M radioactive decay activity – Answers (.docx)
- Optional discussion questions (.docx)
- More detailed news story on the discovery of the new elements from DNews on Youtube
- Possible names for the new elements – Ask students what they think!
- Periodic Table Battleship! – A creative way to help students learn relationships between elements on the periodic table.
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