Physical Science

Module 1: Synthesis of New

Elements in the Laboratory
Review:
Let’s watch this video.
Review:
• What is atomic number?
• Atomic number is the number of _________ in
an element.
Objective
• Explain how the concept of atomic number
led to the synthesis of new elements in the
laboratory
Review: H is the symbol for the element
Hydrogen. Hydrogen has 1 proton,
It’s atomic number is 1. That is the
number written below.
The number above is the mass number.
It is equal to the sum of the number of
protons plus neutrons.. This is Deuteron,
It has one proton and one neutron. Its
mass number is 2.
Identify the atomic number and the mass
number.
Performance Standard
• make a creative representation of the
historical development of the atom or
the chemical element in a timeline
• Criteria for Grading:
• Content: 10 points
• Creativity:2 points
• References are cited:1 point
• Work is submitted on time:2 points
How are elements synthesized in the
laboratory

A cyclotron
accelerates charged
particles.
When these particles
can move fast
enough, they can
overcome the
repulsive forces and
combine.
Group Work
• Activity Title: Synthesis of New Elements in
the Laboratory
• Procedure: Study the following equation and
answer the questions after. You have 5
minutes to do the activity.
Group 1

A. From this equation, we can see that a new

element Tc (Technetium) is synthesized.
What is the atomic number of Technetium? 43
How many protons does Technetium (Tc) has? 43
B. Technetium Tc was formed when Molybdenum Mo
was bombarded with Deuteron (an isotope of
Hydrogen with one proton and one neutron).
How many protons does Molybdenum Mo have? 42
What is its atomic number? 42
1. When Molybdenum was bombarded with Deuteron, the
proton from Deuteron was (absorbed, repelled) by Molybdenum
(Mo).
2. The number of protons of Mo (increased/decreased) from 42
to 43.
3. When the proton number changes, the atomic number
(remains the same, changes).
When the atomic number changes, the properties of the
element changes. It is now a new element.
• D. From this example, what is one way to synthesize
a new element in a laboratory? _______________

Combining two elements

Hydrogen (H) proton
Molybdenum (Mo)
Group 2

A. From this equation, we can see that a new

element Astatine is synthesized.
What is the atomic number of Astatine?
• B. Astatine (At) was synthesized when Bismuth was
bombarded with an alpha particle (a Helium atom with two
protons and two neutrons).
• How many protons does Bismuth have? 83
• How many protons does an alpha particle have? 2
1. When Bismuth was bombarded by alpha particles, two
protons were (absorbed, repelled) and two neutrons were
released.
2. The absorption of protons increased the atomic number to
(85, 83)
3. When the proton number changes, the atomic number
(remains the same, changes). When the atomic number
changes, a new element is produced.
D. From this example, what is one way to
synthesize a new element in a laboratory?
_________________
Group 3. Synthesis of Neptunium from
Uranium

A. From this equation, we can see that a new element

Neptunium is produced when Uranium (U) is bombarded with
a neutron.
What is the atomic number of Uranium (U)? 92

B. What is the atomic number of Neptunium (Np)? 93

1. In this equation, since Uranium was bombarded with a
neutron, Neptunium has (less, more) neutrons than
Uranium.

2. Since there is an excess number of neutrons, the element is

unstable. One of the neutrons is changed into a/an (proton,
electron)

3. When the number of protons changes, the atomic number

(remains the same, changes as well). Hence, a new element is
synthesized.
Group 4
Tennessine was produced when Berkelium (Bk) was
bombarded with Calcium.
A. How many protons does Berkelium have? 97
B. How many protons does Calcium have? 20
C. How many protons does Tennessine have? 117
D. Based on this equation, what is one way to produce
new elements in the laboratory? Heavy projectile
Remember
• A new element is synthesized when the _________ number or
the number of protons is changed.
• This is done by:
• Addition of ______ to the nucleus
• Addition of ______ to the nucleus
• Using heavy projectile
Assessment
• 1. Which of the following does the atomic number refer to:
• A. the number of protons
• B. the number of electrons
• C. the number of neutrons
• D. the number of protons and neutrons
2. To produce a new element in the laboratory, an existing
element must have a change in _______
A. the number of protons
B. the number of electrons
C. the number of neutrons
D. the number of protons and neutrons
3. Refer to the equation below:

Molybdenum was bombarded with Deuteron to produce

Technetium. What is the atomic number of Tc?
A. 42
B. 43
C. 97
D. 2
4. Refer to the equation above.
Bismuth was bombarded with an alpha particle
How many protons does an alpha particle have?
A. 4
B. 2
C. 1
D. 0
5. Which of the following are ways to synthesize elements in
the laboratory?
A. Addition of protons to the nucleus
B. Addition of neutron to the nucleus
C. Addition of heavy projectile to the nucleus
D. All of the above.
Extend
• Remember that change is part of life.
• Even now, we have a new normal because of
the pandemic.
• How should we respond to changes and why?