To accompany ‘The periodic table might soon have a new element’

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

1. First, watch this short video. Then, imagine you are a scientist who is excited because you’ve just created a new element. You’ve named this element imaginarium (Im). Write a short letter, as though to a close friend, explaining your accomplishment. Assume that this friend does not have a science background, and briefly explain to them how you created this element.
2. Pick any element from the periodic table and list two ways it is useful to people. What problem might we encounter if this element were not available? 

During Reading:

1. How would creating element 120 change the way the periodic table looks?
2. Regarding element 120, what does the number in its name refer to?
3. What is the name of element 116?
4. How many atoms of element 116 did scientists create after 22 days of “searching”?
5. As of the publication of this article, how many elements make up the periodic table?
6. How many neutrons does calcium-48 contain in its nucleus? Why was this calcium isotope named in the article?
7. As scientists aim to create elements further along the periodic table, what element have they used to replace calcium-48 in experiments? Why did they make this replacement?

After Reading:

1. Refer to your answer to question 2 in Before Reading, where you listed a few ways a particular element helps us. With that in mind, what might we have to gain by the creation of new elements? Briefly explain why a person might care about the creation of new elements.
2. After reading this article, describe one of the challenges scientists encounter when creating new elements in the lab. How big a limit do you believe this is to creating many more novel elements? Briefly explain your answer.