alt.sci.physics

Yes, in principle the properties can be predicted from quantum
mechanics. I know it's been done for some of them, probably all of
them, and that some properties of undiscovered elements have been
predicted. Although they all have such short lifetimes that things
like melting points and crystal structures may not have much meaning.

Half-lives have been predicted for many undiscovered elements and they
identified an 'island of stability' up there somewhere. I don't think
this has actually been observed yet.

Trying to find patterns in the periodic table is a pretty retarded way
to do it unless you know the reasons for them and that they'll
continue to where you're looking.


On Oct 2, 12:31 pm, "Ernie Sty" wrote:
> Is it possible to make ballpark guesses as to the properties of elements
> which exist in such small amounts they can't be tested?
>
> In other words, we know how the hydrogen atom is put together, and we know
> the melting point, boiling point and density of hydrogen. The same can be
> said of all the elements which exist in amounts large enough to test.
>
> Is there any rhyme or reason as to what properties an element will have
> based on the structure of its atom? In other words, since we know the
> atomic structure of ununoctium, can reasonably accurate guesses be made
> about its properties as a material?