The Periodic Table and the Poetry of the Elements

Celebrations for the International Year of the Periodic Table were inaugurated at the beginning of this month, as 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of Dimitri Mendeleev's publication of his Periodic Table of the Elements in 1869. Since then, as Mendeleev predicted, gaps have been filled in the Periodic Table, while the list grew thanks to scientific research. Some of the newly discovered elements hardly stop to say hello, such as number 113 that just lasts a mere millisecond.

If you have ever wondered, as I have, how far we can go with the discovery of elements (by adding protons to the atomic nucleus), here is a clear answer from an article in Phys.org, by the Michigan State University:

"All elements with more than 104 protons are labeled as "superheavy", and are part of a vast, totally unknown land that scientists are trying to uncover. It is predicted that atoms with up to 172 protons can physically form a nucleus that is bound together by the nuclear force. That force is what prevents its disintegration, but only for a few fractions of a second. 

These lab-made nuclei are very unstable, and spontaneously decay soon after they are formed. For the ones heavier than oganesson, this might be so quick that it prevents them from having enough time to attract and capture an electron to form an atom. They will spend their entire lifetime as congregations of protons and neutrons.

If that is the case, this would challenge the way scientists today define and understand "atoms". They can no longer be described as a central nucleus with electrons orbiting it much like planets orbit the sun."

Oganesson is number 118 and it is worth noting that only the first 94 elements have been found to occur naturally.

By Offnfopt - Own work, Public Domain

Elements, like words, are where science meets magic. They are the demarcation line between reality and the reality beyond that reality; they are, so to speak, the guardians to the gates of Paradise. We need only marvel at these magic words to appreciate the inspiring poetry of existence. Before I get too gushy, here is my lighthearted token to the celebrations, Tom Lehrer's brilliant Elements Song:

And I'm afraid I cannot refrain from adding the equally adorable version by Daniel Radcliff: