QUICK REFERENCE
- Symbol: Bh
- Atomic Number: 107
- Atomic Weight: [270]
- Element Classification: Transition Metal
- Discovered By: Peter Armbruster, Gottfried Münzenberg, and their team at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany
- Discovery Date: 1981
- Name Origin: Named after Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory
- Density(g/cc): Estimated to be around 37 (predicted)
- Melting Point: Unknown
- Boiling Point: Unknown
- Appearance: Presumably metallic; actual appearance is unknown due to its radioactivity and scarcity
- Atomic Radius(pm): Estimated
Discovery
Bohrium was discovered in 1981 by a team led by Peter Armbruster and Gottfried Münzenberg at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. The team produced bohrium by bombarding bismuth-209 with chromium-54 nuclei, leading to the creation of bohrium-262. The element was initially named nielsbohrium in honor of Niels Bohr, but the name was later shortened to bohrium by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
Relation to Other Elements
Bohrium is a member of the 7th period in the periodic table and belongs to group 7, which includes manganese, technetium, and rhenium. As a transition metal, bohrium is expected to share some chemical and physical properties with these elements, especially with rhenium, its lighter homologue. However, the properties of bohrium are primarily theoretical or have been determined through a few experimental studies due to the element’s high radioactivity and the challenges associated with producing it in observable quantities.
Natural Occurrence
Bohrium does not occur naturally on Earth and is produced synthetically in particle accelerators through the collision of lighter atomic nuclei.
Uses
Bohrium’s uses are currently limited to scientific research due to its short half-life, intense radioactivity, and the experimental nature of its production:
- Scientific Research: The synthesis and study of bohrium contribute to the understanding of the chemistry and physics of superheavy elements. Researchers are interested in investigating bohrium’s atomic and nuclear properties, including its electron configuration, oxidation states, and chemical reactivity, to test theoretical predictions and expand knowledge of the periodic table’s limits.
The discovery of bohrium added to the series of superheavy elements, pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and enhancing our understanding of atomic behavior under extreme conditions. While practical applications are beyond reach at this time, ongoing research into bohrium and similar elements continues to challenge and refine our understanding of the material universe.