QUICK REFERENCE
- Symbol: Hs
- Atomic Number: 108
- Atomic Weight: [269]
- Element Classification: Transition Metal
- Discovered By: Peter Armbruster, Gottfried Münzenberg, and the team at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany
- Discovery Date: 1984
- Name Origin: Named after the German state of Hesse (Latin: “Hassias”), where the discovering laboratory is located
- Density(g/cc): Estimated to be around 40.7 (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
Hassium was discovered in 1984 by a team led by Peter Armbruster and Gottfried Münzenberg at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. The team produced hassium by bombarding lead-208 with iron-58 ions, which resulted in the creation of hassium-265. The element was named after the German state of Hesse, home to the GSI laboratory, reflecting a tradition of naming elements to honor geographical locations associated with their discovery.
Relation to Other Elements
Hassium belongs to group 8 of the periodic table, sharing this group with iron, ruthenium, and osmium. As a superheavy element, hassium is expected to exhibit some chemical and physical properties similar to those of its lighter group counterparts, particularly osmium, its immediate homologue. However, detailed studies of hassium’s properties are limited due to its extremely short half-life and the technical challenges associated with producing and observing superheavy elements.
Natural Occurrence
Hassium does not occur naturally and is synthesized in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators through the collision of lighter atomic nuclei.
Uses
The uses of hassium are confined to scientific research, given its radioactivity, short half-life, and the complexities involved in its production:
- Scientific Research: Research involving hassium focuses on probing the properties of superheavy elements, including their atomic structure, nuclear stability, and chemical behavior. Studies on hassium and similar elements aim to expand the understanding of the periodic table’s limits and the forces that govern atomic stability at the upper reaches of element numbers.
The discovery of hassium marked a significant milestone in the exploration of superheavy elements, contributing valuable insights into nuclear physics and chemistry. While practical applications remain theoretical, the ongoing study of hassium enhances our understanding of the fundamental principles that define the behavior of matter at the atomic level.