Chemistry: Matter and Change

Chapter 4: The Structure of the Atom

Problem of the Week

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664187/179001/ch04_chapter.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (0.0K)</a>
The Synthesis of Element 114
In 1998 the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia, and Lawrence Livermore (California) National Laboratory (LLNL) announced the synthesis of element 114. The synthesis of heavier elements has been reported but scientists later retracted the claim because they were unable to confirm their results. The synthesis of element 114 was accomplished by using a particle accelerator similar to the one shown here. A beam of calcium-48 atoms was accelerated to bombard a film of plutonium-244. After 40 days of experimentation, the elements finally fused to form element 114.
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0078664187/179001/ch4_1.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (35.0K)</a>

Element 114 is also called ununquadium (Uuq) and it has a mass of 289. Uuq-289 undergoes a series of alpha decays in about 34 minutes. This time span is an unusually long for a superheavy element.

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664187/179001/POWproblem_1.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (0.0K)</a>

From the information given concerning element 114, complete the following:
a. Number of protons ________
b. Number of neutrons _______
c. Number of electrons in a neutral atom _________

 
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664187/179001/POWproblem_2.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (0.0K)</a> Write the equations for the series of three alpha decays for element 114.
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664187/179001/webLinks.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (1.0K)</a> Useful Web Sites:
First postcard from the island of nuclear stability
Element 114
Smash Element
Glencoe Online Learning CenterScience HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe