Posted on 10/28/2007 9:11:41 PM PDT by neverdem
Physicists have created the heaviest isotope yet of magnesium, but in their experiments an unexpected isotope of aluminum also showed up. The findings could help astrophysicists understand occasional X-ray emissions from neutron stars that are growing in mass.
The 7-day-long experiment took place at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), an atom smasher at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Hoping to test the limits of how many extra neutrons will bind to an atomic nucleus, researchers were trying to create magnesium-40, a heavyweight element with 18 more neutrons than the most common isotope, magnesium-22. Standard theory says that magnesium-40 should be the heaviest isotope of the element that can exist, if only for a fleeting instant, before decaying.
NSCL's Thomas Baumann and his colleagues shot nuclei of calcium-48—the heaviest naturally occurring calcium isotope—at a tungsten foil at about half the speed of light. Atomic collisions created all sorts of debris, including fragments from both calcium and tungsten nuclei, out of which new atomic nuclei occasionally formed.
Like Adam in the book of Genesis, the heavy magnesium nuclei started appearing on the fifth day of the experiment. The researchers picked up three of them among the quadrillion particles produced. And it was very good, but then something even more interesting happened (think Eve). The detector recorded 23 particles whose charge and mass marked them as aluminum-42, the researchers report in the Oct. 25 Nature.
According to Baumann, most theories had predicted that aluminum-42 wouldn't exist. While physicists know that the strong nuclear force keeps atomic nuclei together, they cannot calculate exactly the complex interplay of forces among neutrons and protons. Several competing models aim to approximate this interplay. "The range of predictions is pretty broad," says Baumann.
The discovery of aluminum-42 suggests that even heavier aluminum isotopes could exist, says...
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenews.org ...
interesting chemistry blog
Heavy aluminum. Why?
Are they trying to make an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator?
Sounds like the kind of mess my three youngest kids make of my house on a Saturday afternoon.
That way the beer brewers can give us less beer for the same amount of money...
To help with the study of neutron stars according to the article.
So, what is its value and impact on our society?
It's a step on the way to transparent aluminum.
Would this be lightweight heavy metal?
I don't think that heavier beer cans is such a good idea...though it would bring NEW meaning to "12-oz curls..."
I’ll sleep better knowing this.
‘Cause light aluminum goes out when you pull the plug?
No, it's like GM installing auto brakes on the fifth day of production.
Wait- it's more like filing taxes, exactly five business days after completing an audit.
NO! I have a better analogy..........
PS: I finally took my EIT exam yesterday...ouch!
It’ll be used only for making cans of Clipper, The Dark Light Beer. Miller’s making it again...
***Would this be lightweight heavy metal?***
-No, KISS was a lightweight heavy metal, and Spinal Tap is but a dream ......................... FRegards
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