Contents
Electron configuration of Seaborgium
Its electrons per level are 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 12.2 as shown below: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6 5f14 6d4 7s2.
Why is this element called Seaborgium?
Reminder: Transuranic elements are those whose atomic number is greater than 92 and literally means: “Beyond Uranium” which is the element with this atomic number.
Characteristic
- Its most stable isotope, or at least the one known to date, is 266 Sg, with a half-life of about 14 minutes.
- It is a trans actinic d-block element in our periodic table.
- Chemical experiments conducted on this element have confirmed that it behaves like the heavier counterpart of tungsten.
- Seaborgium belongs to the group 6 elements, as the fourth member of the transition metals, in addition to being of the seventh period.
- Its atomic mass is 266u.
- It is expected to have a density of 35.0 g/cm3.
- Under normal conditions, this element should be a solid.
Discovery
Seaborgium was discovered by two laboratories almost simultaneously, let me explain, in June 1974 at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of the University of California, a group of American scientists led by Albert Ghiorso (an American nuclear scientist, known for his help and collaboration in the discovery of other elements of the periodic table) reported the creation of an isotope with a half-life of 1.0 seconds and a number 263.
Then, in September of the same year, at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, a Soviet team led by Georgii Flerov reported producing an isotope with a half-life of 0.48 seconds and a mass number of 259. .
How are these elements produced?
Superheavy elements, such as seaborgium, are produced by bombarding lighter elements in particle accelerators, inducing fusion reactions.
isotopes
Various radioactive isotopes have been synthesized by the fusion of atoms and by observing the decay of heavier elements.
Until today, there is only information about 12 different isotopes of seaborgium, with different atomic masses ranging from 258 to 269 and isotopes 269 and 271.
Seaborgium -261,263 and 265 show metastable states. It is important to note that all of these isotopes decay by spontaneous fusion and alpha decay except for Sg-261 which apart from that can undergo electron capture into Dubnium-261.
The heaviest isotopes are:
- 267 Sg
- 269 Sg
- 271 Sg
The same ones that have half-lives around 3 minutes. The isotope found with the shortest half-life is 258, with a half-life of 2.9 ms.
What are the possible applications of this element?
Seaborgium has very unstable isotopes, and like other transfers, its use is exclusive and purely scientific.
Note: The heavy elements that follow the number 100 in our periodic table are called transfer elements.
What are its effects on health and the environment?
Its effects on health and the environment have not been studied, nor deemed necessary due to its rapid disintegration; however, caution is recommended when handling it. So far studying my chemistry minds today, I hope you find it useful. See you next time!!!