. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
Kyoto scientists announce a 'nuclear' periodic table
by Staff Writers
Kyoto, Japan (SPX) May 28, 2020

The fundamental elements organized by their proton 'magic number'

A staple in every science classroom is the periodic table of elements, and for many it is their first introduction to the vast mysteries of the natural world.

Now physicists from Kyoto University have unveiled a new table that provides a different perspective on the building blocks of the universe. While the traditional table is based on the behavior of electrons in an atom, this new table is based on the protons in the nucleus.

"The periodic table of the elements is one of the most significant achievements in science, and in its familiar form it is based on the shell structure of electron orbitals in atoms," explains Yoshiteru Maeno, one of the co-developers of the new table.

"But atoms are comprised of two types of charged particles that designate each element: electrons orbiting the core and protons in the core itself."

The team's new 'Nucletouch' table - also available as a 3D model - was announced recently in the journal Foundations of Chemistry.

Over 150 years have passed since Dmitri Mendeleev discovered the periodic law that lead him to propose the classic periodic table. He even had the foresight to add space for elements that were still unknown in his time.

"Fundamentally, it comes down to the electrons in each atom. Atoms are considered to be stable when electrons completely fill their 'shell' of orbits around the nucleus," continues Maeno.

"So-called 'noble gases', inert elements such as helium, neon, and argon, rarely react with other elements. Their most stable electron numbers are 2, 10, 18, 36, and so on."

Maeno decribes these as atomic 'magic numbers', and importantly the same principle can also be applied to protons. Imagining that protons in a nucleus exist in 'orbits' may seem like a stretch, but the discovery of the concept was awarded the 1963 Nobel prize in physics.

Protons have different stable magic numbers: 2, 8, 20, 28, and so on. Among these are familiar elements such at helium, oxygen, and calcium. The Nucletouch table places these 'magic nuclei' at its center, providing a new perspective on the elements.

"Similar to electrons, when nuclear orbits are filled with protons, they form stable nuclei, analogous to the noble-gas elements," says collaborator Kouichi Hagino.

"In our nuclear periodic table, we also see that nuclei tend to be spherically-shaped near the magic numbers, but deformed as you move away from them."

The team made the table to highlight alternative ways to illustrate the laws of nature, and hopes that enthusiasts and academics alike will find something to enjoy and learn from this fresh new look at an old friend.

Research Report: "A Nuclear Periodic Table"


Related Links
Kyoto University
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


TECH SPACE
The flame of discovery grows as Saffire sets new fires in space
Cleveland OH (SPX) May 21, 2020
NASA ignited another set of space fire experiments last week when Saffire IV lit a number of longer, stronger flames inside Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo spacecraft. Saffire, NASA's Spacecraft Fire Safety Demonstration Project, is a series of six experiments that investigate how fires grow and spread in space, especially aboard future spacecraft bound for the Moon and Mars. Just like Saffires I, II and III, the researchers began the experiment in Cygnus after it completed its primary Internation ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
Barrett, Raymond speak with U.S. astronaut ahead of historic launch

US Space Council meets ahead of private, US crewed launch

Robert Polsgrove: Commercial Crew to Human Landers

Ultra-thin sail could speed journey to other star systems

TECH SPACE
The UK's first complete ground rocket test in 50 years takes place in Scotland

NASA's SLS Core Stage Green Run tests critical systems for Artemis I

NASA astronauts arrive in Florida week before SpaceX flight

Aerojet Rocketdyne powers second mission for US Space Force

TECH SPACE
NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Clues to Chilly Ancient Mars Buried in Rocks

The little tires that could go to Mars

NASA's Perseverance Rover goes through trials by fire, ice, light and sound

Mystery of lava-like flows on Mars solved by scientists

TECH SPACE
More details of China's space station unveiled

China's tracking ship Yuanwang-5 back from rocket monitoring mission

China's Kuaizhou rocket industrial park partially operational

China's experimental new-generation manned spaceship works normally in orbit

TECH SPACE
Strings of pearls in the night sky - the Starlink satellite project

India allows private firms, start-ups a sneak peek into ISRO data

Indian space sector reforms: Will it be a big bang approach?

RUAG Space offers new electronics for constellations

TECH SPACE
Amazon puts heat on eSports giants with 'Crucible'

Controlling artificial cilia with magnetic fields and light

Fireflies helps companies get more out of meetings

The flame of discovery grows as Saffire sets new fires in space

TECH SPACE
ESO telescope sees signs of planet birth

Statistical analysis reveals odds of life evolving on alien worlds

New study estimates the odds of life and intelligence emerging beyond our planet

Exoplanet climate 'decoder' aids search for life

TECH SPACE
SOFIA finds clues hidden in Pluto's haze

New evidence of watery plumes on Jupiter's moon Europa

Telescopes and spacecraft join forces to probe deep into Jupiter's atmosphere

Newly reprocessed images of Europa show 'chaos terrain' in crisp detail









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.