The newest element is Oganesson (Og). It is the 118th element on the periodic table.
Understanding Oganesson
Oganesson is a synthetic element. This means that it does not occur naturally and must be created in a laboratory setting. It was added to the periodic table in 2016.
Key Characteristics of Oganesson:
- Atomic Number: 118
- Symbol: Og
- Nature: Synthetic (man-made)
- Stability: Extremely unstable, with a half-life of less than a millisecond.
- This means it decays very quickly into other elements.
- Rarity: It is exceedingly rare due to its instability.
Why is Oganesson Important?
The creation and discovery of new elements, like Oganesson, is important because:
- It expands our understanding of the basic building blocks of matter.
- It helps test and refine our theories about nuclear physics and the structure of the atom.
- It can potentially lead to new technologies and applications in the future, though its extreme instability currently limits its practical use.
Summary of Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Element Name | Oganesson |
| Symbol | Og |
| Atomic Number | 118 |
| Type | Synthetic |
| Year Added | 2016 |
| Stability | Extremely unstable (half-life < 1 ms) |
| Rarity | Very Rare |
In conclusion, Oganesson is the newest addition to the periodic table, known for its extreme instability and synthetic nature.
