Scientists study and synthesize new elements for several reasons:
Expansion of Knowledge: Discovering and studying new elements expands our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter. It allows scientists to explore and verify theories related to atomic structure, quantum mechanics, and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions.
Periodic Table Completion: The periodic table is a systematic representation of all known elements, organized based on their atomic numbers and properties. By filling in missing elements, scientists can achieve a more complete and comprehensive periodic table, which aids in understanding the patterns and trends in elemental properties.
Nuclear Physics and Particle Research: Synthesizing new elements often involves nuclear reactions, which can shed light on the stability of atomic nuclei, nuclear forces, and the limits of nuclear binding. These studies contribute to our knowledge of particle physics and the behavior of matter at the subatomic level.
Practical Applications: Some newly synthesized elements may have practical applications. For example, certain elements may possess unique properties that could be useful in materials science, medicine, energy production, or technology. Exploring and understanding the properties of these elements can lead to advancements in various fields.
Regarding how these newly synthesized elements fit into the concept of atomic numbers, it is important to note that the atomic number uniquely identifies an element. When scientists synthesize new elements, they create atoms with higher atomic numbers by adding more protons to the nucleus. These newly synthesized elements are typically highly unstable and often exist for very short periods before decaying into other elements.
By adding more protons to the nucleus, the atomic number increases, resulting in a new element with distinct chemical properties. However, it's worth mentioning that these newly synthesized elements often fall outside the stable region of the periodic table and may exhibit unique and unpredictable properties due to their high atomic numbers and the presence of additional neutrons.
Overall, the study and synthesis of new elements contribute to our understanding of atomic structure, expand scientific knowledge, and may lead to practical applications in various fields. These newly created elements are incorporated into the periodic table based on their atomic numbers, allowing for a more complete and comprehensive representation of the known elements.