alt.sci.physics

Ernie Sty (or somebody else of the same name) wrote in message
:

> 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?

They can usually be inferred from the properties of other elements in the
same group. For example, with the known properties of c(a)esium before us,
it would be safe to assume that francium would be close to its melting
point at room temperature, and would explode on contact with water.
Ununnonium would be the same, only more so.
--
ξ:) Proud to be curly

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