Properties and Overview of Hassium

Overview:

Hassium (Hs) is a synthetic element with the chemical symbol Hs and atomic number 108. It belongs to the group of elements known as the transactinides and is part of the seventh period in the periodic table. Hassium was first synthesized in 1984 by a team of German scientists led by Peter Armbruster and Gottfried Münzenberg at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany. The element is named after the German state of Hesse, where the research center is located. Physically, hassium is predicted to be a dense metal with properties similar to osmium's, its lighter homolog in Group 8 of the periodic table. While the exact physical characteristics of hassium, such as its melting and boiling points, are not well-determined due to the challenges in studying the element, theoretical models suggest it would be solid at room temperature with a high density, likely around 40.7g/cm³, making it one of the densest known elements.
Chemically, hassium is expected to behave like other Group 8 elements, such as osmium and ruthenium. The most stable oxidation state of hassium is predicted to be +8, similar to osmium, which commonly forms compounds like osmium tetroxide (OsO₄). Indeed, the first chemical experiments with hassium successfully synthesized hassium tetroxide (HsO₄), confirming that hassium exhibits oxidation behavior analogous to osmium. This compound is expected to be volatile, similar to its lighter counterpart, which is used in experimental settings to help understand the chemical properties of hassium.
Regarding safety, handling hassium is highly restricted to specialized facilities, as it is a radioactive element. The short half-lives of hassium isotopes mean they decay quickly into lighter elements, emitting alpha particles. While alpha radiation is not deeply penetrating and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or human skin, the radioactivity of hassium necessitates strict precautions to avoid contamination or inhalation. The tiny quantities of hassium produced, typically just a few atoms, significantly reduce the risk of radiation exposure. However, safety protocols in nuclear research facilities are rigorously maintained to protect researchers.

Production:

The production of hassium involves a complex process of nuclear fusion, typically involving the collision of lighter nuclei to form heavier ones. In the case of hassium, it was first synthesized by bombarding lead-208 (Pb-208) with iron-58 (Fe-58) ions. This process is conducted in particle accelerators, creating only a few atoms of hassium at a time. These atoms are volatile and have short half-lives, with the most stable known isotope, hassium-277, having a half-life of approximately 11 seconds. The rapid decay of hassium isotopes, primarily through alpha decay, limits the time available for their study, making research into this element both challenging and expensive.

Applications:

Due to its rarity and the difficulty in producing even minute quantities, hassium has no practical applications outside scientific research. It is primarily studied to gain insights into the properties of superheavy elements and to understand the limits of the periodic table further. The research on hassium contributes to the broader field of nuclear chemistry and physics, particularly in exploring the theoretical "island of stability," where it is hypothesized that certain superheavy elements may have relatively longer half-lives.

Summary:

Hassium is a highly radioactive synthetic element with properties that align it closely with other elements in Group 8 of the periodic table. Its production is limited to a few atoms at a time through nuclear fusion reactions in particle accelerators, and its study is constrained by its rapid decay. While hassium has no practical applications, it plays a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding of superheavy elements and the behavior of matter at the end of the periodic table. Due to its radioactivity, it is handled with strict safety protocols in specialized research environments.

See a comprehensive list of atomic, electrical, mechanical, physical and thermal properties for hassium below: