QUICK REFERENCE
- Symbol: Db
- Atomic Number: 105
- Atomic Weight: [268]
- Element Classification: Transition Metal
- Discovered By: Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, USA)
- Discovery Date: Competing claims in the late 1960s and early 1970s
- Name Origin: Named after the city of Dubna, Russia, home to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
- Density(g/cc): Estimated to be around 29.3 (predicted)
- Melting Point: Unknown
- Boiling Point: Unknown
- Appearance: Radioactive metal, but actual appearance is unknown due to its extreme rarity
- Atomic Radius(pm): Estimated
Discovery
The discovery of dubnium was subject to competing claims by two research groups. The team at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, reported the production of element 105 after bombarding americium-243 with neon-22 ions in 1968. Shortly thereafter, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, USA, also claimed the discovery after conducting similar experiments involving the collision of californium with nitrogen ions. The conflicting claims were eventually resolved by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the element was officially named dubnium to honor the city of Dubna and its contributions to the discovery of superheavy elements.
Relation to Other Elements
Dubnium is a transition metal and is expected to be part of the group 5 elements, which includes vanadium, niobium, and tantalum. Due to its position in the periodic table, dubnium is predicted to share similar chemical properties with these elements, particularly with tantalum, its lighter homologue. However, the chemical and physical properties of dubnium are largely theoretical or based on very limited experimental observations due to the challenges associated with producing and studying this highly radioactive element.
Natural Occurrence
Dubnium does not occur naturally and is synthesized in particle accelerators through the collision of lighter atomic nuclei.
Uses
Dubnium’s uses are confined to scientific research due to its short half-life, radioactivity, and the difficulty of production:
- Scientific Research: The study of dubnium and its compounds contributes to the broader understanding of the chemistry and physics of superheavy elements. Researchers investigate dubnium’s properties to explore the limits of the periodic table, the stability of elements, and the theoretical predictions of chemical behavior in extremely heavy elements.
The synthesis of dubnium represents a significant achievement in the field of nuclear chemistry, pushing the boundaries of what is known about atomic structure and the creation of elements. Despite its limited practical applications, the study of dubnium and other superheavy elements continues to yield valuable insights into the fabric of the material world.