Tennessine
Definition and meaning of Tennessine in chemistry.
![Tennessine element card: symbol Ts, atomic number 117, atomic mass [294], electron configuration [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p⁵, Unknown, group 17, period 7.](/assets/images/terms/tennessine-chemical-element.webp)
Tennessine is a highly radioactive superheavy element with the chemical symbol Ts and atomic number 117. It is currently the second-heaviest known element in the world. Scientists can only make this rare element inside powerful particle accelerators.
In more detail
Tennessine sits in group 17 and period 7 of the periodic table. This spot makes it the heaviest known member of the halogen family. It sits right below lighter halogens like iodine and astatine.
However, its huge size causes strange physics changes called relativistic effects. These effects happen in superheavy atoms and change how their electrons move. Because of this, tennessine will likely act more like a metal.
It probably will not act like typical nonmetal halogens such as fluorine or chlorine. Advanced computer models suggest the element favors a +1 or +3 oxidation state. This state tells us how many electrons it uses to bond with other atoms.
Chemists also guess that pure tennessine is a solid at normal room temperature. The most stable known type of this element is tennessine-294. This specific isotope has a half-life of just 51 milliseconds.
This means the new atom breaks apart almost as soon as it forms. It quickly shoots out energetic alpha particles to lose weight. This decay turns it into a lighter element called moscovium.
This extreme instability makes it impossible to study tennessine in large amounts. Today, scientists can only observe one single tennessine atom at a time.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ts |
| Atomic number | 117 |
| Atomic mass | [294] u |
| Category | Unknown |
| Year discovered | 2010 |
| Discoverer | Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
Nuclear physicists make tennessine for research using giant particle accelerators. They shoot a high-speed beam of calcium-48 ions at a target of berkelium-249. This violent collision sometimes forces the two different nuclei to join together and form tennessine.
Frequently asked questions
Is tennessine considered a halogen?
Tennessine belongs to the halogen group on the periodic table. However, its massive size changes how its electrons move. This likely makes it behave more like a metal than traditional halogens.
How was tennessine named?
Scientists named the element after the United States state of Tennessee. This name honors the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for its vital work in superheavy element research.
Related terms
Sources & references
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