Naturally occurring elements yet to be discovered?

  • Thread starter Thread starter GiantSheeps
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    chemistry elements
AI Thread Summary
All elements above atomic number 92 are synthetic and do not occur naturally, leading to the question of whether all naturally occurring elements have been discovered. While it is theoretically possible for elements with atomic numbers higher than 118 to exist, their discovery in nature is deemed unlikely without a redefinition of neutron stars. The concept of "islands of stability" suggests that these elements would have had sufficient time to be found, given the age of the universe (approximately 13-14 billion years) compared to the short half-lives of such elements, which are often measured in seconds.
GiantSheeps
Messages
83
Reaction score
7
So I know that all the elements above 92 on the periodic table do not occur naturally, does that mean that we've discovered all the naturally occurring elements? Is it possible that there can be elements with a higher atomic number than 118 that we just haven't discovered yet in nature?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
"Possible?" Yes.
Likely? Without redefinition of neutron stars ---- no.
 
  • Like
Likes Stephanus and GiantSheeps
Bystander said:
"Possible?" Yes.
Likely? Without redefinition of neutron stars ---- no.
Oh haha you mean like neutronium?

Why is it unlikely?
 
The "islands of stability" have all had ample time to be discovered/occur. (13-14 Ga last time I looked --- vs. 1/2 lives of how many seconds?)
 
  • Like
Likes Stephanus
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'
I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...

Similar threads

Back
Top