Note: To the left is a picture of a very happy scientist after proving that a small plastic whistle won by continually besting his own skeeball high score at Chuck E. Cheese is responsible for splitting atoms. Take notice of the satisfaction spreading across the man's face. He's a happy scientist.
Scientist have created a new heavy element, which will now be referred to as 118, for those of you keeping score at home. Not only is it super heavy, indicating a problem with metabolism, but it decays very rapidly. Just read.
According to CNN.com:
"Scientists said they smashed together calcium with the manmade element Californium to make an atom with 118 protons in its nucleus. The new element lasted for just one millisecond, but it was the heaviest element ever made and the first manmade inert gas -- the atomic family that includes helium, neon and radon. The element was created last year in Russia using a minuscule amount of Californium provided by the Americans. After a millisecond, it decayed into element 114, then into element 112 and then split in half, Moody said."
I have 3 problems with that quote:
1.) I'm not very fond of scientists talking about smashing things.
2.) Why in the name of all that is good and holy are we giving nuclear elements, regardless of the amount, to other countries? Are we just ignoring history at this point?
3. I'm no chemistry major, but how exactly to you count 118 protons in less than one millisecond?
I can't answer any of those, but the whole thing struck me as odd. The worst part of the whole article is that one of the scientists involved says the discovery of 118 (can you really call it a discovery if you just smashed stuff together like a drunken ocelot to get your desired results?) doesn't count until other scientists verify it. So let me get this straight, we're reporting news that isn't really news? Way to go, media!
The most terrifying aspect here is that Americans gave the nuclear elements necessary for this stunt to Russia. Just handed it over. Now I know Russia isn't the threat they once were, but it still seems like shoddy business to just run around going "Who wants nuclear elements? Nuclear elements free to the first fifteen customers!" I think it's badd for our rep.
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*From the Scientist*:
Our friend, the Atom - is also known by another name: Pac-Man. As you can see, Pac-Man derives his energy by eating little yellow dots. But our friend, the man of pac, must also be cautious - for there are always colorful bits of anti-matter known as ghosts lurking around the next bend!
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