The 117th Element
By: Diya Sivasubramani
Created in 1869, by world renowned chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, the periodic table is a framework in which chemical elements are organized by their atomic number; at its origin it held just sixty three squares, and today it holds over a hundred and eighteen.With the sciences advancing day by day, the periodic table seamlessly keeps growing and doesn’t seem like it is stopping anytime soon. Element 117, also known as Tennessine, is a synthetic element that was, “discovered in 2010 and jointly announced on April 5 of that year by scientists at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, and scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California” as stated on https://www.livescience.com/41459-facts-about-ununseptium.html. A breakthrough for science all over the world, the addition of the 117th element is also a breakthrough for women of color in the STEM field.
https://www.edn.com/1st-periodic-table-is-presented-march-6-1869/
https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/
Named after the state Tennessee, Tennessine is a highly reactive, radioactive halogen that can be found in group 17 of the periodic table. It is also known to be the second heaviest element. As noted by Clarice Phelps, one of the founders of the 117th element, research into super heavy elements like Tennessine is growing at a rapid rate as many scientists believe these types of elements are the “key to unlocking transformative new forms of energy.” Although finding or synthesizing new elements has become more scarce, especially since it would need such a high number of protons, Clarice Phelps was able to help make the 117th element possible. This element is not just record breaking due to its “heavy element status” but also due to the people behind the element. Yuri Oganessian was the person who led the team to discover the 117th element.
Phelps along with Shelley VanCleve, and Rose Boll helped purify Berkelium which was later used in creating the 117th element. A microscope kit at a garage sale was all it took for Phelps to get interested in STEAM, she knew she wanted to pursue the sciences from then onwards. Her story shows that it’s not only possible to shine through in situations when you are at a disadvantage, but also it shows how to change. Phelps created history, becoming the first Black woman to help find an element on the periodic table. However, it took years of hard work, dedication, and discipline to reach this point. Phelps’ story of facing adversity and shining in a field that is dominated by caucasian men, paves a path for women and people of color to pursue STEM careers.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/us/clarice-phelps-tennessine-element-117-scn-ctpr/index.html
Till now our periodic table has been capped at 118 elements, but with our technology getting better day by day, the periodic table will likely be adding some squares in the future.
Sources:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/periodic-table-history-chemical-elements-150-anniversary
https://www.britannica.com/science/periodic-table/The-first-periodic-table
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/us/clarice-phelps-tennessine-element-117-scn-ctpr/index.html
https://www.livescience.com/41459-facts-about-ununseptium.html
