Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Tennessine (Ts) is an artificially produced transuranium element with an atomic number 117. In 2010, Russian and American scientists announced the production of six atoms of Tennessine, which was formed during the bombing with atoms of 22 milligrams of Barclium-249 were bombarded with the atoms of Calcium-48 at the cyclotron present at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. The atomic weights of these atoms were 293 and 294. Five atoms, with an atomic weight of 293, decayed into roentgenium atoms, and one atom weighing 294 decayed into an atom of dubnium. The discovery of element 117 was recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) in January 2016. The discoverers named it Tennessee after the state of Tennessee, where research centres for transuranium elements are located. The name ‘Tennessee’ was approved by IUPAC in November 2016.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Tennessine, Atom, Element, Atomic Number, Atomic Weight, Transuranium Element, Cyclotron, Periodic Table, Isotope, Radioisotope, Halogen, Solids
What is Tennessine?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The recently discovered ingredient 117 has been officially named "tennessine". It is a very heavy element in the periodic table, which does not occur naturally, is synthesized by exposing a radioisotope target to a beam of another specific isotope. It is a chemical element with the symbol Ts and is classified as a halogen, tennessine is expected to be a solid at room temperature.
The element has been named after the state of Tennessee, where research centres for transuranium elements (such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Vanderbilt University) are located.
Tennessine
Chemical Properties of Tennessine
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Tennessine is considered to be a highly radioactive metal, of which only a few atoms have ever been made. Here are some of the important chemical properties of Tennessine:
| Group | 17 | Melting Point | Unknown |
| Period | 7 | Boiling Point | Unknown |
| Block | p | Density (g cm−3) | Unknown |
| Atomic Number | 117 | Relative Atomic Mass | [294] |
| State At 20°C | Solid | Key Isotopes | 294 Ts |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p5 | Cas Number | 87658-56-8 |
Predicted Chemical Properties of Tennessine
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Except for atomic properties, no properties of Tennessine or its compounds have been measured. It is a very limited and expensive product because of its rapid depletion. The properties of tennessine remain unknown and only predictions are available. The predicted chemical properties of Tennessine are as follows:
- Symbol: Ts
- Physical Description: Expected to be a solid
- Group: 17
- Period Number: 7
- Atomic Number: 117
- Block: P
- Atomic Mass: 294.211u
- Atomic Radius: 138 pm
- Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p5
- Oxidation States: +5, +3, +1, -1
- Melting Point: 623–823 K (350–550 °C, 662–1022 °F) (estimated)
- Boiling Point: 883 K (610 °C, 1130 °F) (predicted)
- Year of Discovery: 2010
- Discovered By: Scientists from the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia, and the USA
Read More: Atomic And Molecular Masses
History and Discovery of Tennessine
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
On April 5, 2010, scientists working with scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Energy announced the creation of Tennessee at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. They made Tennessee by bombarding the atom of berkelium-249 with calcium-48 ions. Tennessine-294, Tennessee's most stable isotope, has a half-life of about 80 milliseconds. It is eroded by alpha decay at moscovium-290.
On November 28, 2016, element 117 was named after the Tennessee Symbol (Ts). The Tennessee Region of the United States includes the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, all of which have contributed to the study of superheavy element research.
Discovery of Tennessine
Read More: Technetium
Uses of Tennessine
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Since only a few atoms of Tennessine have been produced, there is currently no use outside of basic scientific research. At the moment, the elements are used for research purposes only.
Things to Remember
- Tennessine is element 117 in the periodic table, with the element symbol Ts and a predicted atomic weight 294. Element 117 is an artificially produced radioactive element that was verified in 2016 for inclusion in the periodic table.
- As of 2016, a total of 15 Tennessee atoms were observed: 6 in 2010, 7 in 2012, and 2 in 2014.
- Based on its position in the periodic table, element 117 is expected to be a halogen, such as chlorine or bromine. However, scientists believe that the relative effects of the element's valence electrons will prevent Tennessee from forming anions or achieving a high oxidation state.
- Currently, Tennessee is only used for research. Scientists are investigating the properties of the element and using it to make atoms of other elements through its decay project.
- The element has no known or expected biological role. It is expected to be toxic, primarily because it is radioactive and very heavy.
- In some cases, the element may more closely resemble a metalloid or post-transition metal. Although element 117 may not chemically behave like a halogen, physical properties such as melting and boiling points will likely follow the halogen tendency.
Sample Questions
Ques. What do you mean by Tennessine? (3 Marks)
Ans. Tennessine is a short-lived artificially produced radioactive element (element 117) with the element symbol Ts and a predicted atomic weight of 294. It was discovered by scientists at Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It is an artificially produced radioactive element that was verified for inclusion on the periodic table in 2016.
Ques. What are the uses of Tennessine? (3 Marks)
Ans. Presently, tennessine is only used for research. Scientists are investigating the properties of the element and using it to make atoms of other elements through its decay project. Element 117 has no known or expected biological role. Primarily, it is expected to be toxic, because it is radioactive and very heavy.
Ques. How did Tennessine get its name? (3 Marks)
Ans. The discoverers named it Tennessine after the state of Tennessee, where research centres for transuranium elements (such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Vanderbilt University) are located. The name Tennessee was approved by IUPAC in November 2016. The Tennessine’s symbol in the periodic table is Ts.
Ques. Is Tennessine diatomic? (3 Marks)
Ans. Diatomic molecules consist of two atoms. Diatomic compounds consist of two different components. Seven pure elements make up diatomic molecules. As the temperature decreases or the pressure increases, other elements become diatomic liquids. Astatine (atomic number 85, symbol At) and tennessine (atomic number 117, symbol Ts) are in the halogen group and can form diatomic molecules.
Ques. What is the reactivity of Tennessine? (3 Marks)
Ans. Since only a few atoms of tennessine have been made, its reaction with the bases is unknown. Also, its reaction with air, water, halogens, acids is unknown. One would predict that its behaviour would be similar to that of astatine (immediately above tennessine in the periodic table) and iodine (two places above).
Ques. Why is Tennessine named after Tennessee? (3 Marks)
Ans. In recognition of Tennessee's contribution to the recently discovered discovery of element 117, Tennessine has been formally named, which includes the efforts of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee's collaborators. The new element is classified as halogen-like chlorine and fluorine, so Tennessine is spelt instead of Tennessee.
Ques. What state of matter is Tennessine? (3 Marks)
Ans. Tennessine is a radioactive, artificially produced substance that is rarely known. It is expected to be solid, but its classification is unknown. Tennessine is considered to be a member of the halogen group. Some key properties, such as its melting and boiling point and its first ionization energy, are still expected to follow the periodic tendency of halogen.
Ques. Does Tennessine gain or lose electrons? (3 Marks)
Ans. Tennessine has 117 electrons. For example, the gas phase gives atomic energy of Tennessine when it gains an electron to form an ion of Tennessine. This affinity is known as the second electron affinity, and these forces are positive. Halogen has the highest number of electrons among all the elements.
Related Links:
Comments