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Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Number above 100

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The contemporary periodic table has around 118 elements. In most cases, the element’s discoverer is given the honour of naming the element. The chemical element’s name is derived from its physical or chemical properties, its origin, or mythical qualities. The IUPAC then approves the preferred name of an element (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).

The contemporary periodic table has around 118 elements. Out of the 118 elements discovered by science, 24 are synthetically created by humans and the rest are naturally occurring elements. Few of the 24 man-made elements had previously been discovered, and a few others had recently been discovered by a team led by Glen Seaborg at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in Berkeley, California.

The names and symbols assigned to these elements are still not universally accepted. Some of them even had two names as well as two symbols. For example, the element with the atomic number 104 was discovered jointly by the United States and the Soviet Union. The term Rutherfordium (Rf) was given to it by American scientists, whilst the name Kurchatovium (Ku) was given to it by Soviet scientists. 

Thus, the IUPAC established a group known as the commission on nomenclature of inorganic chemistry (CNIC) in order to award a specific IUPAC naming process to elements with atomic numbers higher than or equal to 100. After an extensive discussion with all experts worldwide, IUPAC settled on the official names for elements with atomic numbers 104 to 110 and presented a system for naming the elements in 1997.

How The Elements With The Atomic Number (Z) Above 100 Assigned Names?

Most chemical elements have been assigned symbols and names, but they are not commonly utilised. While researching the nomenclature of elements with atomic numbers of more than 100, it was discovered that some elements had two symbols or names.

For example, both Soviet and American scientists claimed an element with atomic number=104. The element was given the name Rutherfordium (Rf) by the Americans, and Kurchatovium by the Soviets (Ku). Similarly, elements with Z=107 are given the names Bohrium (Bh) and Nielsbohrium (Ns). 

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) established the CNIC (Commission on Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry) in 1978 to address the element naming and symbol concerns. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) establishes a defined criterion for the systematic nomenclature of elements having atomic numbers more than 100.

The elements with atomic numbers (Z) ranging from 101 to 103 have insignificant names. They also have consistent two-letter symbols that are recognised by IUPAC. Superheavy elements are chemical elements with an atomic number greater than 100.

The use of three-letter configurations for chemical elements with Z=100 or higher is mentioned by the Commission. Because any scientifically developed set of two-letter symbols will inevitably repeat some of the elements with an atomic number less than 104. 

Nomenclature Of Elements With Atomic Number (Z) Greater Than 100

The element’s name is obtained directly from its atomic number using the following numerical roots:

Number

Name

0 nil
1 un
2 bi
3 tri
4 quad
5 pent
6 hex
7 sept
8 oct
9 enn
  1. To spell out the name, the numerical roots are combined based on the numbers that make up the atomic number and conclude with “ium.”
  2. The element symbol is made out of the first letters of the numerical roots that make up the name.
  3. Each root in the element’s name is pronounced separately, hence the root ‘un’ should be pronounced with a long ‘u’.
  4. Let us look up the name of an element with the atomic number 120: The code for one is un, the code for two is bi, and the code for zero is nil. As a result, the name of the element with the atomic number 120 is un + bi + nil + ium (ending code), which is short for unbinilium. It is important to remember, however, that if the last digit code, such as bi, ends with the letter I simply add ‘um’. In that scenario, the ending will be ‘um’ rather than ‘ium’.

IUPAC Nomenclature Of Elements With Atomic Number Above 100

The discoverer’s right to offer alternative names to the commission after the new element’s discovery has been established is not affected by the systematic nomenclature that has been implemented. To address these challenges, the IUPAC established the Inorganic Chemistry Nomenclature Commission (CNIC) to offer a distinct nomenclature system to elements with Z> 100. (also known as superheavy elements). After discussions with experts throughout the world, IUPAC settled on the official names for elements with ordinal numbers 104-110 and recommended a naming system for these elements in 1997.

Atomic Number

Name

Symbol

101 Unnilunium Unu
102 Unnilbium Unb
103 Unniltrium Unt
104 Unnilquadium Unq
105 Unnilpentium Unp
106 Unnilhexium Unh
107 Unnilseptium Uns
108 Unniloctium Uno
109 Unnilennium Une
110 Ununnilium Uun

Sample Questions

Question 1: What will be the nomenclature of the element with atomic numbers 114 and 116?

Answer:

According to IUPAC, the official name for the element with atomic number 114 is flerovium, which is denoted by the symbol Fl. However, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry authorised the name livermorium with the symbol Lv for the element with atomic number 116. The naming element number 114 commemorates the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions perfectly. Superheavy elements are created in this facility.

Question 2: What will be the name of element number 119?

Answer: 

Only 118 elements have been identified thus far, while 119 is the possible Ununennium with the symbol Uue. According to IUPAC, it is a short name and symbol for this element. This name and symbol are valid until it is permanently discovered and assigned a permanent name and symbol. This element is also known as eka-francium.

Question 3: What will be the name of element number 118?

Answer:

Ununoctium, with the symbol Uuo, is number 118. According to IUPAC, it is a short name and symbol for this element.

Question 4: What will be the name of element number 108?

Answer:

108 is one named Unniloctium with symbol Uno. It is a short name and symbol for this element, as referred by IUPAC. 


Last Updated : 06 Jul, 2022
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