QUICK REFERENCE
- Symbol: Ds
- Atomic Number: 110
- Atomic Weight: [281]
- Element Classification: Transition Metal
- Discovered By: Society for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany
- Discovery Date: 1994
- Name Origin: Named after the city of Darmstadt, Germany, where it was discovered
- Density(g/cc): Estimated to be around 34.8 (predicted)
- Melting Point: Unknown
- Boiling Point: Unknown
- Appearance: Presumed to be a solid under standard conditions, but actual appearance is unknown due to its radioactivity and the minute amounts produced
- Atomic Radius(pm): Estimated
Discovery
Darmstadtium was discovered in 1994 by a team of researchers at the Society for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. The discovery was made by bombarding lead-208 targets with nickel-62 ions, resulting in the creation of darmstadtium-269. The element was named in honor of the city of Darmstadt, acknowledging the location of its discovery and the contributions of the GSI to the field of heavy ion research.
Relation to Other Elements
Darmstadtium is a superheavy synthetic element and is expected to be part of group 10 of the periodic table, alongside nickel, palladium, and platinum. Due to its position in the periodic table, darmstadtium is predicted to share some chemical and physical properties with these transition metals, particularly platinum, its lighter homologue. However, the properties of darmstadtium are largely theoretical or have been inferred from brief experimental observations due to the element’s short half-life and the challenges associated with producing it in observable quantities.
Natural Occurrence
Darmstadtium does not occur naturally. It is produced synthetically in particle accelerators through highly specific nuclear reactions involving the collision of atomic nuclei.
Uses
Currently, the applications for darmstadtium are limited to scientific research due to its short half-life, radioactivity, and the technical difficulties involved in its synthesis:
- Scientific Research: The primary use of darmstadtium is in the field of scientific research, where it contributes to the study of the properties of superheavy elements. Research involving darmstadtium aims to explore its nuclear behavior, potential chemical properties, and the overall stability of elements at the end of the periodic table.
The discovery of darmstadtium extended the boundaries of the periodic table and enhanced our understanding of the synthesis and properties of superheavy elements. While practical applications are beyond current reach, the ongoing investigation into darmstadtium and related elements continues to challenge and refine our understanding of atomic and nuclear physics.