Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
Richard Feynman is said to have invoked relativity to predict the end of the periodic table at element 137. To Feynman, 137 was a “magic number”—it had popped up for no obvious reason elsewhere in physics. His calculations showed that electrons in elements beyond 137 would have to move faster than the speed of light, and thus violate the rules of relativity, to avoid crashing into the nucleus.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-will-we-reach-end-periodic-table-180957851/
More are possible in theory, just less and less likely. |
Very interesting read Glen, thanks for the link.
I don't understand all this stuff but am very excited to see how things progress.
From your link:
“I think we’re a long way off from the end of the periodic table,” says Scerri. “The limiting factor right now seems to be human ingenuity.”