Author: Emily Conover / Source: Science News
A heavy element’s nucleus is all bent out of shape.
Nobelium — element number 102 on the periodic table — has an atomic nucleus that is deformed into the shape of an American football, scientists report in the June 8 Physical Review Letters. The element is the heaviest yet to have its nucleus sized up.
By probing individual nobelium atoms with a laser, the team gauged the oblong shape of three nobelium isotopes: nobelium-252, -253 and -254.
These different forms of the element each contain 102 protons, but varying numbers of neutrons. The shape is…The post This heavy element has a football-shaped atomic nucleus appeared first on FeedBox.