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.
