A To Z Challenge: Japan Could Put A "J" On The Periodic Table Of Elements

You may have noticed from the title that I haven't named a specific field of study, unlike previous posts. That's because, unfortunately, there are exactly zero branches of physical science (my theme's center) beginning with the letter "j". So this time I bring you a recent scientific discovery only: The synthesis of the new element ununtrium 113 by Japanese scientists.

Ununtrium, element 113 on the periodic table, is a solid at room temperature and can only exist by its being synthesized; it is not a natural element. It was first created by a group of Russians and Americans in 2004, along with element 115, but the results needed to be verified before it could be declared that 113 had been created. The Japanese scientists used a different method to create 113, which acted as that verification.

If scientists in Japan decide to name the element they discovered with a word including "j" it would bring the periodic table one letter closer to filling out the alphabet--so far "j" and "q" remain off the chart. The element jodium is the Dutch word for iodine, but officially iodine is denoted by the letter I, not J.

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Sources:
http://www.riken.jp/en/pr/press/2012/20120927/
http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfaqs/f/What-Letter-Is-Not-Found-In-The-Periodic-Table.htm
http://www.webelements.com/ununtrium/

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Got any favorite elements? Do you think there will ever be a "j" and a "q" on the list of elements?


-----The Golden Eagle