Physical Science
Synthesis of
Artificial Elements
Prepared by: Dianne S. Cofino
OBJECTIVE
Explain how the concept of atomic number led to the
synthesis of new elements in the laboratory.
Specifically, you will identify the new element synthesized
in the reaction, and explain how the new element is
identified.
Who Is Henry Moseley?
• Henry Moseley, an English physicist,
showed that atomic number (number
of protons in an atom) determines
most of the properties of an element.
• He started his study in Ernest
Rutherford’s laboratory about
radioactivity, but later decided to
dwell more on X-rays.
Who Is Henry Moseley?
• In 1913, he made use of X-ray
Spectroscopy to determine the atomic
number of an element.
• He shot a beam of electrons to
different elements and determined the
unique frequencies of the line
spectrum from elements.
Who Is Henry Moseley?
• Moseley discovered a correlation between atomic
number and the frequency of X rays generated by the
bombardment of the element under study with high-
energy electrons.
• With his findings, he published a paper on a better
arrangement of the elements in the Periodic Table based
on their atomic numbers.
This discovery of X-ray
spectroscopy predicted elements
that were not yet discovered.
• In fact, he found out that there are
four gaps in the table when
elements were arranged based on
their atomic numbers.
• These gaps corresponded to the
atomic numbers 43, 61, 85, and
87. These elements were later
X-Ray Spectroscopy prepared in the laboratory.
Who Is Ernest Rutherford?
• Ernest Rutherford, a British
physicist, performed successfully a
nuclear transmutation, a reaction
that changes one element or
isotope into another element, in
1919.
• He used alpha particles to fire on
nitrogen nuclei, thereby producing
Oxygen (O).
Who Is Ernest Rutherford?
But alpha particles and atomic nuclei
repel each other since both are
positively charged. As a result, he often
used neutrons, neutral particles, in
particle accelerators to synthesize or
form new elements.
The picture on the right and in
the succeeding page show a
Particle Accelerator. It is a
device used to accelerate the
protons to very high energies
by using magnetic and
electrical fields to form new
elements.
Remember that Moseley noted four gaps in the periodic table
corresponding to the atomic numbers 43, 61, 85 and 87.
Missing Element No. 43
• The name Technetium, Tc comes
from the Greek word “technetos” which
means artificial.
• Technetium was the first element to be
produced artificially.
Missing Element No. 43
• Technetium is a remarkable corrosion
inhibitor for steel and adding very small
amounts can provide excellent
protection.
• In medical diagnostic procedures,
technetium is the most commonly used
medical isotope.
Missing Element No. 43
Missing Element No. 85
• Dale Corson, Kenneth Ross Mackenzie and Emilio Segre
produced the element with atomic number 85 in 1940.
• Using electric field and magnetic field, they bombarded
Bismuth (atomic number 83) with fast-moving alpha particles.
• As a result, element-85 was formed and named Astatine from
the Greek word “astatos” meaning unstable.
• Astatine can be used in the treatment of thyroid cancer and as
a radioactive tracer.
Missing Element No. 85
Missing Element No. 85
• Element 87 (Francium), discovered by Marguerite
Catherine Perey, was discovered as a decay product of
Actinium (Ac). It is the last element to be discovered in
nature.
• On the other hand, Element 61 (Promethium), was
discovered by bombarding neodymium and
praseodymium with neutrons.
Discovery of Synthetic Elements
In 1940, Edwin McMillan used a particle
accelerator to bombard Uranium with neutrons.
Discovery of Synthetic Elements
The new element formed is
Neptunium (Np). It is used for
spacecraft generators and
terrestrial navigation beacons. It
is also used in neutron detection
equipment.
Discovery of Synthetic Elements
At the end of 1940, Seaborg, McMillan, Kennedy and Wahl
synthesized the element Plutonium. They bombarded Uranium
with deuterons (particles composed of a proton and a neutron).
Discovery of Synthetic Elements
The new element formed is Plutonium (Pu). It is used as a
fuel in nuclear power plants and in making nuclear weapons
like atomic bombs.
Discovery of Synthetic Elements
Using particle accelerator, transuranium elements are artificially
prepared in the laboratory. These are elements with atomic
numbers greater than 92, the atomic number of Uranium. Thus,
Neptunium and Plutonium are both transuranium elements. They
decay radioactively into a new element.
The most recent element discovered is Tennessine. It is a
synthetic element with the symbol Ts and the atomic number 117. It
is the second-heaviest known element and the penultimate
element of the 7th period of the periodic table.
SUMMARY
• Henry Moseley discovered in his X-ray spectroscopy that the
atomic number determines most of the properties of an element.
• Particle accelerator is a device used to speed up protons by
using magnetic and electrical fields to form new elements.
• Both Technetium and Astatine are artificially prepared elements
using particle accelerators.
• In the synthesis of new element, an element is identified based on
its atomic number.
• Transuranium elements are man-made elements with atomic
numbers greater than 92.
THANK YOU!
Let Us Practice!
Missing Element Instruction: On the blank provided, write the name and
symbol of the element formed in the reaction by using the Periodic Table of
Elements and its corresponding atomic number.
The first item is done for you. (3 points each)
