Hassium
HES-i-em
Hassium (Hs) is a radioactive metal that has the atomic number 108 in the periodic table, its appearance is not fully known due to the minuscule amounts produced of it. It is a Transition metal in Group 8. It has the symbol Hs.
Hassium like many larger atoms has only been created in the laboratory and does not exist in nature. Hassium has a half life of approximately 16 seconds hence why very little is known about it. The first attempt to create Hassium was made at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna in 1978 but it was unsuccessful. It was not until 1984 that German team of scientists succeeded in synthesising Hassium. Hassium is named after the German state of Hesse. Experiments have been conducted to determine the properties of Hassium, acting as a heavier osmium. As so little of it has been created the melting and boiling point have not been analysed.
FAQ's
Heavy Ion Research Laboratory (HIRL)
1984
Uses
It has no significant commercial applications.
Sources
Formed by the bombardment of lead-208 with iron-58.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Hs
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