The periodic table just got 4 new elements
The seventh row of the periodic table is now complete.
Four as-yet-unnamed chemical elements — labeled 113, 115, 117, and 118 — mark the first additions to the table since 2011. The elements, which are all classified as "superheavy" because they have more than 104 protons, were officially acknowledged by the U.S.-based International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry on Dec. 30.
"To scientists, this is of greater value than an Olympic gold medal," said Ryoji Noyori, a Nobel laureate in chemistry.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Next up, scientists say: discovering element 119.
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com