In nuclear physics, the island of stability is defined as “the prediction that a set of heavy isotopes with a near magic number of protons and neutrons will temporarily reverse the trend of decreasing stability in elements heavier than uranium”. Elements beyond rutherfordium (element 104) are considered superheavy elements, and the most long-lived ones are expected to exist on the so called island of stability with extremely long half-lives.
While adding more nucleons tends to make elements unstable, the stability of elements doesn’t depend only on the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus, but also the arrangementof said protons and neutrons. This is where the magic numbers come in: for protons 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 114, 120, 126 and for neutrons 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, 184. Evidence of these magic numbers can be seen in naturally occurring stable elements. In fact, lead, the last stable element, is considered to be double magic, with 82 protons and 126 neutrons (specifically lead-208).
However, despite all this, the existence of superheavy and relatively stable isotopes has not yet been demonstrated. Some physicists think that the half-lives of elements on the island of stability will only be on the order of minutes, hours, or days, while others theorize they will be on the order of 109 years. Stability is relative - none of the elements past lead are ever expected to be completely stable.
Recently, humanity filled the periodic table up to atomic number 118, which nicely rounds out that row. But are we done yet? Have we discovered all of the different elements? And what is an “island of stability?”
Right now there are loads of groups trying to make new elements because why the hell not.
They do it by smashing two heavy elements together because we can, and screw you.
At the moment, the heaviest stable element is lead. Beyond that you get radioactivity. Much higher and they decay too quickly to be see really. At the minute the highest is element 118: Ununoctium. Snappy name I know.
It may be snappy, but it’s no Max Power.
But scientists reckon that at about 120, the atoms will have the right arrangement of protons and neutrons to suddenly be stable and not kerplode in on themselves.
This has no practical application really, it’s just cool. See you on…the island.
Although, that said, the Stargate was supposedly built from an unknown superheavy element. So y'know, there’s that.
Day 10 of my Birthday countdown art challenge! Today’s prompt is 10-Elements! A prompt which is dear to me for reasons I will not say… Yet… Maybe… To those born on the 10th of July. May you live your life with a will for right. Happy birthday!
Prometheus/Ben brought fire/magic to humankind. I feel that magic is some energy that comes from the Fifth Element/Akasha/Ether. What we call the Fifth Element is actually the First, the Origin of the Elements. It is also considered the Spirit or universal energy of life, and the essence of magic. It runs through and binds everything. Through the use of magic, one can influence all of Creation/the Universe/Nature.
Akasha & Ether have a similar meaning in their root words: to burn; to radiate. What does Fire/Magic do but burn and radiate? It allows the users (witches, gods, etc) to have an effect on anything in Nature through the intent of spells or just emotions and to feel life and its energies from the Earth, the Spirits, the Ancestors, anywhere in Nature.
“The ancient Greeks thought of ether as the substance or the place where the gods and goddesses lived.”
Clearly, the Gods have a greater connection to magic or live near its source as Ben took some of it. The Gods wanted to be and remain the most powerful and most exalted as the belief of humans also empowered them. Witches have a connection to Magic but not as much as the Gods. They could be biological descendants of the Gods/Demigods. They were probably gifted and blessed with power due to their devoted worship and it changed them, giving birth to Witches and their bloodlines. IDK. The possibilities are endless. The latter would work and explain why modern witches pale in comparison to ancient witches in terms of power.
What separates Gods from humans? Magic. That’s what Ben told Jed. The Gods have a great deal of it which most likely allows them to live longer. Witches have it in their veins as well from birth but it’s finite.
How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors? It’s Element-ary!
Those beautiful explosions in the sky that take our breath away are powered by chemistry. Fireworks display different colors due to the various kinds of materials packed inside them. For example, the image above shows positive results of flame tests for various chemical elements. A flame test is an analytic procedure used in chemistry to detect the presence of certain elements, primarily metal ions, based on each element’s characteristic emission spectrum.
When certain metals are heated, their electrons momentarily jump to a higher energy level. When these electrons settle back down to their original energy level, the cooling process emits a photon. Depending on the material, the photon will have a different wavelength and, therefor, will emit a different color. The flame colors vary for different elements and can be used to identify unknown substances. The ones shown above are (from left to right): copper (green), lithium (red), strontium (red), sodium (yellow), copper (green), and potassium (lilac).
Alfablot, the Nordic counterpart to Samhain, or as some of you may know it as Halloween, is a very sacred time of remembrance of our deceased ancestors. We gather around our close family, and exchange stories of great men and women within our family tree, who we honor that night with drink and warm food. We must keep them in our thoughts, for they overcame great struggles to bring us to life. This is their night.
Hail to our deceased brothers, To our past sisters To the mothers of our mother And fathers of our father Though you may be gone We feel your presence And honor your life You will never be forgotten Hail
