Atomic Mass
259.000000
u
Melting Point
1100.00
°C
Ionization Energy
6.58
kJ/mol
Nobelium plays a critical role in understanding superheavy element chemistry, particularly investigating how electron orbitals behave under extreme nuclear charge conditions. Scientists study Nobelium to validate relativistic effects predictions in heavy atoms and explore chemical bonding beyond traditional periodic trends.
Research teams use Nobelium to investigate the end of the actinide series and transition to superheavy elements. This research helps define where f-orbital filling ends and provides insights into electron configuration patterns that influence chemical properties of elements 103 and beyond.
Nobelium isotopes serve as excellent subjects for studying spontaneous fission and alpha decay chains, providing data crucial for understanding nuclear stability limits and predicting properties of undiscovered superheavy elements in the theoretical "island of stability."
Physicists employ Nobelium in experiments that test quantum mechanical calculations for superheavy atoms, validating theoretical predictions about nuclear shell effects, binding energies, and optimal synthesis pathways for creating even heavier elements.
Nobelium research drives development of ultra-sensitive analytical techniques including single-atom chemistry methods, advanced mass spectrometry, and sophisticated radiation detection systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in nuclear science.
Nobelium applications are exclusively limited to advanced nuclear research laboratories including GSI in Germany, RIKEN in Japan, and Berkeley Lab in the United States. These facilities use Nobelium for fundamental nuclear physics research and superheavy element synthesis studies.
Research teams utilize Nobelium in gamma-ray spectroscopy and nuclear decay studies to measure precise nuclear properties including spin, parity, and magnetic moments. These measurements provide essential data for understanding nuclear shell structure in superheavy elements.
Scientists perform pioneering single-atom chemical experiments with Nobelium, studying oxidation states and chemical behavior using just a few atoms. These experiments represent the ultimate frontier of chemistry, working at the absolute limit of material science.
Nobelium research necessitates development of cutting-edge detection systems including position-sensitive detectors, time-of-flight systems, and advanced particle identification methods that advance nuclear instrumentation technology for future discoveries.
Nobelium exists only through artificial synthesis in particle accelerators and has never been found naturally on Earth or detected in stellar spectra. This superheavy element represents one of humanity's most exclusive creations, existing nowhere else in the known universe.
Scientists create Nobelium by bombarding curium or californium targets with carbon, oxygen, or neon ions in linear accelerators. The original disputed synthesis involved bombarding curium-244 with carbon-13 nuclei, though definitive production wasn't achieved until the 1960s.
The most stable Nobelium isotope, 259No, has a half-life of only 58 minutes, making it impossible for any primordial Nobelium to have survived since Earth's formation. Current synthetic Nobelium atoms exist for mere minutes before decaying into lighter elements.
Global Nobelium production is measured in individual atoms per experiment, with worldwide synthesis totaling perhaps a few thousand atoms annually. The element requires sophisticated particle accelerators, rare target materials, and enormous energy inputs for synthesis.
Unlike elements formed in stellar nucleosynthesis or cosmic ray interactions, Nobelium cannot form naturally due to its extremely short half-life and specific nuclear reaction requirements. It represents matter that exists only through human technological intervention.
Nobelium's discovery became one of the most contentious disputes in Cold War science. The first claim came from the Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1957, followed by competing claims from Soviet scientists at Dubna and American researchers at Berkeley, creating a decade-long priority battle.
In 1957, Swedish physicists at the Nobel Institute announced element 102's discovery, bombarding curium-244 with carbon-13 ions. They proposed the name "nobelium" in honor of Alfred Nobel. However, other laboratories couldn't reproduce their results, and the Swedish team eventually retracted their claims.
The definitive synthesis was achieved in 1966 by Georgy Flerov's team at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Soviet Union. They successfully created nobelium-256 by bombarding uranium-238 with neon-22 ions, providing conclusive evidence of element 102's existence.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry finally resolved the controversy in 1992, crediting the Soviet team with the official discovery. However, the name "nobelium" was retained due to its widespread use in scientific literature, creating an unusual situation where the namers weren't the discoverers.
The nobelium controversy reflected broader Cold War tensions in science, with national pride and political prestige tied to element discoveries. The eventual resolution demonstrated international scientific cooperation's ability to overcome political divisions in pursuit of truth.
WARNING: Nobelium is an intensely radioactive synthetic element that emits dangerous alpha particles, beta radiation, and gamma rays. Even nanogram quantities pose serious health risks requiring specialized nuclear facility handling and continuous radiation monitoring.
Nobelium isotopes undergo spontaneous fission and alpha decay, producing high-energy radiation and neutron emissions. Internal contamination would cause severe radiation poisoning, organ damage, and potentially fatal radiation syndrome within hours or days.
Research requires Class A hot cells, robotic manipulation systems, and heavy lead shielding. Personnel must maintain significant distance from samples and use remote handling tools exclusively. Continuous air monitoring and emergency decontamination capabilities are mandatory.
All surfaces, equipment, and materials contacting Nobelium become radioactively contaminated and require specialized disposal as high-level nuclear waste. Even microscopic traces can create persistent radiation hazards lasting for multiple half-lives.
Essential information about Nobelium (No)
Nobelium is unique due to its atomic number of 102 and belongs to the Actinide category. With an atomic mass of 259.000000, it exhibits distinctive properties that make it valuable for various applications.
Nobelium has several important physical properties:
Melting Point: 1100.00 K (827°C)
State at Room Temperature: solid
Nobelium has various important applications in modern technology and industry:
Nobelium plays a critical role in understanding superheavy element chemistry, particularly investigating how electron orbitals behave under extreme nuclear charge conditions. Scientists study Nobelium to validate relativistic effects predictions in heavy atoms and explore chemical bonding beyond traditional periodic trends.
Research teams use Nobelium to investigate the end of the actinide series and transition to superheavy elements. This research helps define where f-orbital filling ends and provides insights into electron configuration patterns that influence chemical properties of elements 103 and beyond.
Nobelium isotopes serve as excellent subjects for studying spontaneous fission and alpha decay chains, providing data crucial for understanding nuclear stability limits and predicting properties of undiscovered superheavy elements in the theoretical "island of stability."
Physicists employ Nobelium in experiments that test quantum mechanical calculations for superheavy atoms, validating theoretical predictions about nuclear shell effects, binding energies, and optimal synthesis pathways for creating even heavier elements.
Nobelium research drives development of ultra-sensitive analytical techniques including single-atom chemistry methods, advanced mass spectrometry, and sophisticated radiation detection systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in nuclear science.
Nobelium's discovery became one of the most contentious disputes in Cold War science. The first claim came from the Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1957, followed by competing claims from Soviet scientists at Dubna and American researchers at Berkeley, creating a decade-long priority battle.
In 1957, Swedish physicists at the Nobel Institute announced element 102's discovery, bombarding curium-244 with carbon-13 ions. They proposed the name "nobelium" in honor of Alfred Nobel. However, other laboratories couldn't reproduce their results, and the Swedish team eventually retracted their claims.
The definitive synthesis was achieved in 1966 by Georgy Flerov's team at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Soviet Union. They successfully created nobelium-256 by bombarding uranium-238 with neon-22 ions, providing conclusive evidence of element 102's existence.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry finally resolved the controversy in 1992, crediting the Soviet team with the official discovery. However, the name "nobelium" was retained due to its widespread use in scientific literature, creating an unusual situation where the namers weren't the discoverers.
The nobelium controversy reflected broader Cold War tensions in science, with national pride and political prestige tied to element discoveries. The eventual resolution demonstrated international scientific cooperation's ability to overcome political divisions in pursuit of truth.
Discovered by: <h3><i class="fas fa-globe-europe"></i> International Discovery Controversy (1957-1966)</h3> <p>Nobelium's discovery became one of the most contentious disputes in Cold War science. The first claim came from the <strong>Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden</strong> in 1957, followed by competing claims from Soviet scientists at Dubna and American researchers at Berkeley, creating a decade-long priority battle.</p> <h3><i class="fas fa-flag"></i> Swedish Initial Claim</h3> <p>In 1957, Swedish physicists at the Nobel Institute announced element 102's discovery, bombarding <strong>curium-244 with carbon-13 ions</strong>. They proposed the name "nobelium" in honor of Alfred Nobel. However, other laboratories couldn't reproduce their results, and the Swedish team eventually retracted their claims.</p> <h3><i class="fas fa-hammer-sickle"></i> Soviet Union Success</h3> <p>The definitive synthesis was achieved in 1966 by <strong>Georgy Flerov's team</strong> at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Soviet Union. They successfully created nobelium-256 by bombarding uranium-238 with neon-22 ions, providing conclusive evidence of element 102's existence.</p> <h3><i class="fas fa-medal"></i> IUPAC Resolution (1992)</h3> <p>The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry finally resolved the controversy in <strong>1992, crediting the Soviet team</strong> with the official discovery. However, the name "nobelium" was retained due to its widespread use in scientific literature, creating an unusual situation where the namers weren't the discoverers.</p> <h3><i class="fas fa-handshake"></i> Cold War Science Diplomacy</h3> <p>The nobelium controversy reflected broader Cold War tensions in science, with national pride and political prestige tied to element discoveries. The eventual resolution demonstrated international scientific cooperation's ability to overcome political divisions in pursuit of truth.</p>
Year of Discovery: 1958
Nobelium exists only through artificial synthesis in particle accelerators and has never been found naturally on Earth or detected in stellar spectra. This superheavy element represents one of humanity's most exclusive creations, existing nowhere else in the known universe.
Scientists create Nobelium by bombarding curium or californium targets with carbon, oxygen, or neon ions in linear accelerators. The original disputed synthesis involved bombarding curium-244 with carbon-13 nuclei, though definitive production wasn't achieved until the 1960s.
The most stable Nobelium isotope, 259No, has a half-life of only 58 minutes, making it impossible for any primordial Nobelium to have survived since Earth's formation. Current synthetic Nobelium atoms exist for mere minutes before decaying into lighter elements.
Global Nobelium production is measured in individual atoms per experiment, with worldwide synthesis totaling perhaps a few thousand atoms annually. The element requires sophisticated particle accelerators, rare target materials, and enormous energy inputs for synthesis.
Unlike elements formed in stellar nucleosynthesis or cosmic ray interactions, Nobelium cannot form naturally due to its extremely short half-life and specific nuclear reaction requirements. It represents matter that exists only through human technological intervention.
⚠️ Caution: Nobelium is radioactive and requires special handling procedures. Only trained professionals should work with this element.
WARNING: Nobelium is an intensely radioactive synthetic element that emits dangerous alpha particles, beta radiation, and gamma rays. Even nanogram quantities pose serious health risks requiring specialized nuclear facility handling and continuous radiation monitoring.
Nobelium isotopes undergo spontaneous fission and alpha decay, producing high-energy radiation and neutron emissions. Internal contamination would cause severe radiation poisoning, organ damage, and potentially fatal radiation syndrome within hours or days.
Research requires Class A hot cells, robotic manipulation systems, and heavy lead shielding. Personnel must maintain significant distance from samples and use remote handling tools exclusively. Continuous air monitoring and emergency decontamination capabilities are mandatory.
All surfaces, equipment, and materials contacting Nobelium become radioactively contaminated and require specialized disposal as high-level nuclear waste. Even microscopic traces can create persistent radiation hazards lasting for multiple half-lives.