Tennessine
Definition and meaning of Tennessine in chemistry.
Tennessine is a synthetic, highly radioactive superheavy element with the chemical symbol Ts and atomic number 117. It is the second-heaviest known element in existence and is produced solely in specialized particle accelerators.
In more detail
Positioned in group 17 and period 7, tennessine is the heaviest recognized member of the halogen family. Despite its placement below iodine and astatine, significant relativistic effects are anticipated to alter its chemical properties, potentially making it behave more like a post-transition metal than a typical nonmetallic halogen. Theoretical models suggest it may favor a +1 or +3 oxidation state and could be a volatile solid at standard room temperature. The most stable isotope, tennessine-294, has a half-life of roughly 51 milliseconds, decaying quickly by alpha emission into moscovium. This extreme atomic instability permanently limits scientific investigation to the study of isolated, individual atoms.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ts |
| Atomic number | 117 |
| Atomic mass | [294] u |
| Category | Unknown |
| State at room temperature | Expected to be a solid |
| Year discovered | 2010 |
| Discoverer | Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
Tennessine is synthesized for nuclear physics research by bombarding a target of berkelium-249 with a continuous beam of calcium-48 ions.
Frequently asked questions
Is tennessine considered a halogen?
It is in the halogen group, but relativistic effects likely make it behave more like a metal than traditional halogens like fluorine or chlorine.
How was tennessine named?
It was named in honor of the US state of Tennessee, recognizing the contributions of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to superheavy element research.