The Unsynthesized Element: Ununennium

Ununennium is the lightest element that is not on most periodic tables, it does not naturally occur in the universe. The reason why Ununennium does not exist in the periodic table is because it is very unstable, and requires nuclear fusion to create.

It does not naturally occur in the universe.

Ununennium, or Uue, has some very interesting properties. Some predict that it would react like francium (one of the most reactive metals). If it existed, it would just have a half-life of about 485 microseconds, which means that any mass Ununennium has would decay in just a few microseconds. Nonetheless, some countries, like Japan and Russia, are still trying to create this element. Ununennium can only be synthesized through nuclear fusion, which requires a tremendous amount of energy, which is a difficult process itself. What makes it so difficult and dangerous is that it requires a stunning 100 million degrees to create. Furthermore, the longest time currently for a nuclear fusion lasted less than 2 minutes at 120 million degrees celsius. With such requirements, one can imagine just how difficult it is to create this new element.

All in all, Ununennium is an element that has not yet been synthesized, but once it is able to be created, it will represent a tremendous breakthrough in human technology. This may not be a matter of if, but when. What the future holds for this element only time will tell.

References

“Why Is Francium the Most Reactive Metal?: Socratic.” Socratic.org, 2 Aug. 2018, socratic.org/questions/why-is-francium-the-most-reactive-metal. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.