alt.sci.physics

On Oct 1, 6:31 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?

Yes. This is what's done for all elements with atomic number above
about 97 or so. The periodic table is a table organized by elemental
properties, after all.

>
> 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?

Yes, see above. The other thing the periodic table does is organize
elements according to their electron configurations.

The correlation (as expressed in the periodic table) between elemental
properties and electron configuration then becomes more apparent.

A basic textbook in chemistry will explore this in some detail.

PD