The Periodic Table Is Weird Enough As It Is.

chemistry1Some scientists believe, too, that adding electrons to extra-heavy atoms can stabilize their nuclei—the electrons might act as springs and shocks to absorb the energy that atoms normally dedicate to tearing themselves apart. If that’s so, maybe elements in the 140s, 160s, and 180s are possible.

-Sam Kean, The Disappearing Spoon: and other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the periodic table of the elements

 

The following have been submitted, reviewed, and rejected as potential names for new elements.

Againogen

Greasium

Yummium

Explodium

Younamehereum

Bolognium

Velvetium

Canttouchium

Puttium

Kirkium

Picardium

Meltium

Lethalium

Justfoundium

Swelterium

Agnes

 

 

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7 Comments

  1. Ann Koplow

    Christium
    Waldropit
    Bloggery
    Annorarium

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Those elements may yet be added. Here’s a fun fact: only one element has been named after a living person. It’s element 106, Seaborgium, named after Glenn T. Seaborg, who helped discover several other transuranic elements. I love this picture of Seaborg pointing–or trying to–at the element that bears his name.
      Glenn T. Seaborg and periodic table.

      Reply
  2. Shawna

    I still think ‘surprise’ should be one…

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Maybe they’ll add “Surprisium” somewhere down the line.

      Reply
  3. Gina W.

    I never realized before that adding an “-ium” ending to a word makes it sound much more scientific (and fun). Like, “vaginitisarium”. Or “carbuncle-arium”. Nice.

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      It’s the Latin influence. Everything in Latin sounds very smart and profound. That’s why I love to quote the phrase “Non carborundum illegitimi”–roughly translated it means “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

      Reply
    2. kdcol

      When my brother-in-law was still around, we would be eating at a Mexican restaurant and attempt to order “in Spanish” by ending every word with ‘o’. I’d like some queso and bean-o soup-o. It was stupid, but we’d laugh like hell. I’m pretty sure this was after we already hit the margaritas and beer.

      Reply

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