Hs is the chemical symbol for Hassium.
Hassium is a synthetic chemical element, meaning it does not occur naturally on Earth but is created in laboratories. It holds a significant position in the periodic table due to its high atomic number.
Understanding Hassium (Hs)
Hassium is designated by the symbol Hs and has an atomic number of 108. This number signifies that each atom of Hassium contains 108 protons in its nucleus. Classified as a transition metal, Hassium exhibits properties characteristic of this group of elements. At standard room temperature, Hassium is predicted to be a solid.
Key Characteristics of Hassium
Here's a quick overview of Hassium's fundamental properties:
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Element Name | Hassium |
| Symbol | Hs |
| Atomic Number | 108 |
| Classification | Transition Metal |
| State at 20°C | Solid (predicted) |
| Category | Superheavy element, Transactinide |
Discovery and Significance
Hassium was first synthesized in 1984 by a team of German researchers at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt. Its discovery was a result of bombarding lead-208 targets with iron-58 nuclei. As a superheavy element, Hassium is primarily of interest to scientific research, particularly in the study of nuclear physics and the properties of elements beyond the known stable isotopes. Its isotopes are extremely short-lived, decaying within seconds or milliseconds, which makes its study challenging.
- Research Focus: Scientists study elements like Hassium to understand the limits of the periodic table and to explore the "island of stability," a theoretical region where superheavy nuclei might have longer lifetimes.
- No Practical Applications: Due to its extreme radioactivity, short half-life, and minute quantities produced, Hassium currently has no commercial or practical applications outside of scientific research.
For more information on elements and their properties, you can consult reputable sources like the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
