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Article: Smashing discovery.(PHYSICAL/PERIODIC TABLE)(chemical element no. 118 has been discovered by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)(Brief article)
- Article from:
- Science World
- Article date:
- January 15, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Scholastic, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The periodic table of Earth's elements may soon need an extra slot. A group of researchers claims to have created a brand-new element.
Scientists from California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia said they have produced element 118. Using a particle accelerator machine, the researchers smashed together calcium (Ca) and californium (Cf) at extremely high speeds. When an atom of calcium combined with an atom of californium, it produced an atom with 118 protons in its central nucleus.