Element 112

Just in case you mention the total number of "known" elements when reviewing basic chemistry at the beginning of your A&P course . . . you should be aware that we're now up to 112.

Ununbium (Uub), as well as several proposed elements beyond 112, are listed in the periodic chart in Figure 2-1 (p. 34) in Anatomy & Physiology. As I stated, this is NOT essential information for A&P students, but a little bit of background to keep you up to date on the state of science. And you NEVER KNOW when it might come up, eh?

Researchers in Germany, then later in Japan, were able to manufacture atoms of Uub. The first succesful team (in Darmstadt, Germany) will be suggesting a permanent name to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to replace the placeholder name "Ununbium." The IUPAC should be announcing the new name within a few months.

Here's a video from the Periodic Table of Videos (background)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqMksokDbeA


Here's another video updating the Periodic Table of Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_TZUWdlYU


{Image of electron shell diagram for Ununbium, the 112th element in the periodic table of elements from Pumbaa (original work by Greg Robson)}