116
Lv
Livermorium

Livermorium

Element 116 • Post-transition Metal
Atomic Mass 293.000000
Electron Config Unknown
Group/Period 16/7

Physical Properties

MEASURED
Atomic Mass
293.000000 u
Melting Point
623.00 °C
Boiling Point
1035.00 °C
Ionization Energy
6.00 kJ/mol

Special Properties

CLASSIFIED
RADIOACTIVE This element emits radiation

Applications

CATALOGUED

Nuclear Physics Research Applications

Superheavy Element Decay Studies: Livermorium provides crucial data about alpha decay patterns and nuclear stability in the superheavy element region. Its relatively long half-life (for superheavy elements) allows detailed study of decay mechanisms and nuclear structure properties.

Island of Stability Research: As element 116, Livermorium occupies a strategic position approaching the theorized island of stability where superheavy elements might exist for extended periods. Research focuses on understanding nuclear shell effects that could lead to enhanced stability.

Relativistic Chemistry Exploration: Livermorium offers unique opportunities to study how relativistic effects influence chemical bonding in superheavy elements. Theoretical predictions suggest it might behave similarly to polonium but with significant deviations due to relativistic orbital contractions.

Advanced Nuclear Instrumentation: Creating Livermorium drives development of sophisticated particle detection systems, ion beam technologies, and data analysis methods that benefit multiple scientific fields including medical physics and materials research.

International Scientific Collaboration: Livermorium research exemplifies global cooperation in fundamental science, with teams from Russia, the United States, and other nations sharing resources and expertise to push the boundaries of human knowledge.

Theoretical Model Validation: Livermorium provides experimental data to test quantum mechanical models of atomic structure, particularly theories about electron orbital behavior under extreme nuclear charges and relativistic conditions.

Future Technology Foundation: Understanding Livermorium's properties contributes to the long-term scientific goal of discovering stable superheavy elements that might revolutionize technology in ways currently beyond imagination.

Common Uses

INDEXED

Exclusively Research Applications

Particle Accelerator Synthesis: Livermorium exists only within specialized nuclear physics facilities equipped with powerful cyclotrons and linear accelerators. Creating Livermorium requires weeks of continuous bombardment to produce individual atoms, making each synthesis scientifically significant.

Nuclear Decay Analysis: Scientists use Livermorium to study alpha decay chains and spontaneous fission processes, providing insights into the fundamental forces governing atomic nuclei and nuclear stability mechanisms.

Computational Chemistry Testing: Livermorium serves as a benchmark for theoretical predictions about superheavy element chemistry, particularly models suggesting unusual chemical behavior due to relativistic electron effects.

Advanced Detection Development: Livermorium identification requires the most sophisticated particle detection systems available, driving innovation in nuclear instrumentation that benefits broader scientific research and technology development.

Scientific Training Platform: Livermorium experiments provide invaluable training opportunities for nuclear physicists and graduate students, advancing human expertise in superheavy element science and nuclear research techniques.

International Research Exchange: Livermorium studies facilitate collaboration between world-leading nuclear physics laboratories, fostering knowledge sharing and technological advancement across national boundaries.

Natural Occurrence

SURVEYED

Entirely Synthetic Element

No Natural Formation: Livermorium cannot form through any natural nuclear processes occurring anywhere in the universe. Its 116-proton nucleus is too heavy and unstable to exist in stellar cores, supernovae, or any other known astrophysical environments.

Laboratory Creation Only: Every Livermorium atom has been artificially created through nuclear fusion reactions in particle accelerators. The process involves bombarding curium-248 targets with calcium-48 ions, achieving success rates of only a few atoms per day.

Cosmic Impossibility: Even the most extreme cosmic events like neutron star collisions lack the precise conditions necessary to create and preserve Livermorium nuclei. The element's short half-life ensures rapid decay before any possible detection.

Specialized Facility Dependency: Livermorium exists only in advanced nuclear research installations like the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia and GSI Helmholtzzentrum in Germany, representing humanity's most sophisticated nuclear physics capabilities.

Nuclear Instability Origins: Livermorium's synthetic nature results from fundamental nuclear physics principles. As atomic number increases, electromagnetic repulsion between protons increasingly overwhelms the strong nuclear force, preventing natural nuclear stability.

Future Synthesis Developments: While improved accelerator technologies might enhance Livermorium production efficiency, the element will remain synthetic due to its inherent nuclear instability and rapid radioactive decay characteristics.

Discovery

ARCHIVED
2000

Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Russia (2000-2006)

Russian Nuclear Physics Excellence: Livermorium discovery represents another triumph of Russian superheavy element research, achieved by an international team led by Yuri Oganessian at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, continuing Russia's leadership in pushing the periodic table's boundaries.

Six-Year Research Campaign: The livermorium discovery required six years of systematic experimentation from 2000 to 2006, involving continuous refinement of synthesis techniques, target preparation methods, and sophisticated particle detection systems to achieve reproducible results.

International Cooperation: While led by JINR, the discovery involved collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, demonstrating how shared expertise and resources enable breakthrough achievements in fundamental science.

Technical Breakthroughs: Creating livermorium required developing improved ion beam focusing systems, enhanced target cooling techniques, and more sensitive particle identification methods that advanced the entire field of superheavy element research.

IUPAC Recognition: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry officially recognized JINR's discovery in 2011, granting the team naming rights. "Livermorium" honors Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for their crucial contributions to superheavy element research.

Scientific Significance: Livermorium's discovery provided important validation of theoretical predictions about superheavy element synthesis pathways and contributed crucial data about nuclear stability in the superheavy element region.

Global Impact: The achievement strengthened international cooperation in nuclear physics and demonstrated how advanced scientific facilities can achieve remarkable breakthroughs through sustained effort, technological innovation, and collaborative research.

Safety Information

CRITICAL

Severe Radioactivity - Extreme Safety Measures

High-Energy Alpha Decay: Livermorium undergoes alpha decay with half-lives ranging from milliseconds to seconds, emitting extremely energetic alpha particles capable of causing severe radiation damage to biological tissues within seconds of exposure.

Multi-Level Containment: All Livermorium research occurs within heavily shielded accelerator facilities featuring multiple containment barriers, remote handling equipment, and continuous radiation monitoring systems to protect personnel from lethal radiation exposure.

Spontaneous Fission Hazards: Some Livermorium isotopes may undergo spontaneous fission, releasing high-energy neutrons and fission fragments that create additional radiation risks requiring specialized shielding and detection systems.

Highly Trained Personnel Required: Livermorium research requires nuclear physicists with extensive radiation safety training and years of experience with extremely radioactive materials. Strict access controls ensure only qualified personnel enter research areas.

Remote Operation Essential: Livermorium's extreme radioactivity prevents any direct human handling. All synthesis, detection, and analysis occur through sophisticated remote-controlled systems designed to minimize radiation exposure while enabling scientific investigation.

Environmental Protection Protocols: Despite extremely small quantities produced, Livermorium research facilities maintain rigorous environmental monitoring and radioactive waste management protocols to prevent any contamination from escaping containment systems.

Knowledge Database

Essential information about Livermorium (Lv)

Livermorium is unique due to its atomic number of 116 and belongs to the Post-transition Metal category. With an atomic mass of 293.000000, it exhibits distinctive properties that make it valuable for various applications.

Livermorium has several important physical properties:

Melting Point: 623.00 K (350°C)

Boiling Point: 1035.00 K (762°C)

State at Room Temperature: solid

Livermorium has various important applications in modern technology and industry:

Nuclear Physics Research Applications

Superheavy Element Decay Studies: Livermorium provides crucial data about alpha decay patterns and nuclear stability in the superheavy element region. Its relatively long half-life (for superheavy elements) allows detailed study of decay mechanisms and nuclear structure properties.

Island of Stability Research: As element 116, Livermorium occupies a strategic position approaching the theorized island of stability where superheavy elements might exist for extended periods. Research focuses on understanding nuclear shell effects that could lead to enhanced stability.

Relativistic Chemistry Exploration: Livermorium offers unique opportunities to study how relativistic effects influence chemical bonding in superheavy elements. Theoretical predictions suggest it might behave similarly to polonium but with significant deviations due to relativistic orbital contractions.

Advanced Nuclear Instrumentation: Creating Livermorium drives development of sophisticated particle detection systems, ion beam technologies, and data analysis methods that benefit multiple scientific fields including medical physics and materials research.

International Scientific Collaboration: Livermorium research exemplifies global cooperation in fundamental science, with teams from Russia, the United States, and other nations sharing resources and expertise to push the boundaries of human knowledge.

Theoretical Model Validation: Livermorium provides experimental data to test quantum mechanical models of atomic structure, particularly theories about electron orbital behavior under extreme nuclear charges and relativistic conditions.

Future Technology Foundation: Understanding Livermorium's properties contributes to the long-term scientific goal of discovering stable superheavy elements that might revolutionize technology in ways currently beyond imagination.

2000

Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Russia (2000-2006)

Russian Nuclear Physics Excellence: Livermorium discovery represents another triumph of Russian superheavy element research, achieved by an international team led by Yuri Oganessian at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, continuing Russia's leadership in pushing the periodic table's boundaries.

Six-Year Research Campaign: The livermorium discovery required six years of systematic experimentation from 2000 to 2006, involving continuous refinement of synthesis techniques, target preparation methods, and sophisticated particle detection systems to achieve reproducible results.

International Cooperation: While led by JINR, the discovery involved collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, demonstrating how shared expertise and resources enable breakthrough achievements in fundamental science.

Technical Breakthroughs: Creating livermorium required developing improved ion beam focusing systems, enhanced target cooling techniques, and more sensitive particle identification methods that advanced the entire field of superheavy element research.

IUPAC Recognition: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry officially recognized JINR's discovery in 2011, granting the team naming rights. "Livermorium" honors Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for their crucial contributions to superheavy element research.

Scientific Significance: Livermorium's discovery provided important validation of theoretical predictions about superheavy element synthesis pathways and contributed crucial data about nuclear stability in the superheavy element region.

Global Impact: The achievement strengthened international cooperation in nuclear physics and demonstrated how advanced scientific facilities can achieve remarkable breakthroughs through sustained effort, technological innovation, and collaborative research.

Discovered by: <h3>Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Russia (2000-2006)</h3> <p><strong>Russian Nuclear Physics Excellence:</strong> Livermorium discovery represents another triumph of Russian superheavy element research, achieved by an international team led by Yuri Oganessian at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, continuing Russia's leadership in pushing the periodic table's boundaries.</p> <p><strong>Six-Year Research Campaign:</strong> The livermorium discovery required six years of systematic experimentation from 2000 to 2006, involving continuous refinement of synthesis techniques, target preparation methods, and sophisticated particle detection systems to achieve reproducible results.</p> <p><strong>International Cooperation:</strong> While led by JINR, the discovery involved collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, demonstrating how shared expertise and resources enable breakthrough achievements in fundamental science.</p> <p><strong>Technical Breakthroughs:</strong> Creating livermorium required developing improved ion beam focusing systems, enhanced target cooling techniques, and more sensitive particle identification methods that advanced the entire field of superheavy element research.</p> <p><strong>IUPAC Recognition:</strong> The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry officially recognized JINR's discovery in 2011, granting the team naming rights. "Livermorium" honors Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for their crucial contributions to superheavy element research.</p> <p><strong>Scientific Significance:</strong> Livermorium's discovery provided important validation of theoretical predictions about superheavy element synthesis pathways and contributed crucial data about nuclear stability in the superheavy element region.</p> <p><strong>Global Impact:</strong> The achievement strengthened international cooperation in nuclear physics and demonstrated how advanced scientific facilities can achieve remarkable breakthroughs through sustained effort, technological innovation, and collaborative research.

Year of Discovery: 2000

Entirely Synthetic Element

No Natural Formation: Livermorium cannot form through any natural nuclear processes occurring anywhere in the universe. Its 116-proton nucleus is too heavy and unstable to exist in stellar cores, supernovae, or any other known astrophysical environments.

Laboratory Creation Only: Every Livermorium atom has been artificially created through nuclear fusion reactions in particle accelerators. The process involves bombarding curium-248 targets with calcium-48 ions, achieving success rates of only a few atoms per day.

Cosmic Impossibility: Even the most extreme cosmic events like neutron star collisions lack the precise conditions necessary to create and preserve Livermorium nuclei. The element's short half-life ensures rapid decay before any possible detection.

Specialized Facility Dependency: Livermorium exists only in advanced nuclear research installations like the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia and GSI Helmholtzzentrum in Germany, representing humanity's most sophisticated nuclear physics capabilities.

Nuclear Instability Origins: Livermorium's synthetic nature results from fundamental nuclear physics principles. As atomic number increases, electromagnetic repulsion between protons increasingly overwhelms the strong nuclear force, preventing natural nuclear stability.

Future Synthesis Developments: While improved accelerator technologies might enhance Livermorium production efficiency, the element will remain synthetic due to its inherent nuclear instability and rapid radioactive decay characteristics.

⚠️ Caution: Livermorium is radioactive and requires special handling procedures. Only trained professionals should work with this element.

Severe Radioactivity - Extreme Safety Measures

High-Energy Alpha Decay: Livermorium undergoes alpha decay with half-lives ranging from milliseconds to seconds, emitting extremely energetic alpha particles capable of causing severe radiation damage to biological tissues within seconds of exposure.

Multi-Level Containment: All Livermorium research occurs within heavily shielded accelerator facilities featuring multiple containment barriers, remote handling equipment, and continuous radiation monitoring systems to protect personnel from lethal radiation exposure.

Spontaneous Fission Hazards: Some Livermorium isotopes may undergo spontaneous fission, releasing high-energy neutrons and fission fragments that create additional radiation risks requiring specialized shielding and detection systems.

Highly Trained Personnel Required: Livermorium research requires nuclear physicists with extensive radiation safety training and years of experience with extremely radioactive materials. Strict access controls ensure only qualified personnel enter research areas.

Remote Operation Essential: Livermorium's extreme radioactivity prevents any direct human handling. All synthesis, detection, and analysis occur through sophisticated remote-controlled systems designed to minimize radiation exposure while enabling scientific investigation.

Environmental Protection Protocols: Despite extremely small quantities produced, Livermorium research facilities maintain rigorous environmental monitoring and radioactive waste management protocols to prevent any contamination from escaping containment systems.

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