Heavy elements have rugby-shaped atomic nuclei

The nucleus of a heavy element - nobelium - is completely deformed, and shaped like a rugby ball. The researchers used lasers to probe nobelium atoms individually to measure their size.

According to the Physical Review Letters report on June 8, nobelium - the 102nd element in the periodic table - has an atomic nucleus that has been deformed into a rugby shape. This element is the heaviest element to be estimated nuclear.

Each different shape of this element contains 102 protons, but there are different neutrons.

By using lasers to probe nobelium atoms individually, the team measured the rectangles of three nobelium isotopes: nobelium-252, -253 and -254. Each different shape of this element contains 102 protons, but there are different neutrons. This shape of the nucleus is very common, but scientists also determined that nobelium-252 and -254 contained fewer protons in the nucleus than the outer region - a strange texture known as a " nucleus." balloons'.

These dimensions are consistent with previous hypothetical predictions. Research co-author Witold Nararewicz, a theoretical nuclear physicist at Michigan State University in East Lansing, said: 'It confirms our beliefs'.

The elements are heavier than uranium, the 92nd element, not found much in nature, and must be manufactured. Currently, the heaviest element in the periodic table is oganesson, the 118th element. But scientists hope to find a larger element, while searching for a potential 'stable island' , one. The district is expected to be more stable than other heavy elements.

While many super heavy elements break down in just a few seconds, some theoretical calculations show that the elements that live in the interior are expected to stay longer, making them easier to study. than. A deeper understanding of the heaviest elements known, including their atomic nucleus shape, could help scientists determine what lies just out of reach.