This is a list of prices of chemical elements. Listed here are mainly average market prices for bulk trade of commodities. Data on elements' abundance in Earth's crust is added for comparison.
As of 2020 [update] , the most expensive non-synthetic element by both mass and volume is rhodium. It is followed by caesium, iridium and palladium by mass and iridium, gold and platinum by volume. Carbon in the form of diamond can be more expensive than rhodium. Per-kilogram prices of some synthetic radioisotopes range to trillions of dollars. While the difficulty of obtaining macroscopic samples of synthetic elements in part explains their high value, there has been interest in converting base metals to gold (Chrysopoeia) since ancient times, but only deeper understanding of nuclear physics has allowed the actual production of a tiny amount of gold from other elements for research purposes as demonstrated by Glenn Seaborg. [1] [2] However, both this and other routes of synthesis of precious metals via nuclear reactions is orders of magnitude removed from economic viability.
Chlorine, sulfur and carbon (as coal) are cheapest by mass. Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and chlorine are cheapest by volume at atmospheric pressure.
When there is no public data on the element in its pure form, price of a compound is used, per mass of element contained. This implicitly puts the value of compounds' other constituents, and the cost of extraction of the element, at zero. For elements whose radiological properties are important, individual isotopes and isomers are listed. The price listing for radioisotopes is not exhaustive.
Z | Symbol | Name | Density [a] (kg/ L ) | Abundance and total mass in Earth's crust [b] (mg/kg) | Price [7] | Year | Source | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USD/kg | USD/L [c] | ||||||||
1 | H | Hydrogen | 0.00008988 | 1400 (3.878×1019 kg) | 1.39 | 0.000125 | 2012 | DOE Hydrogen [8] | [d] |
1 | 2H (D) | Deuterium | 0.0001667 [10] | 13400 | 2.23 | 2020 | CIL [11] | [e] | |
2 | He | Helium | 0.0001785 | 0.008 (2.216×1014 kg) | 24.0 | 0.00429 | 2018 | USGS MCS [14] | [f] |
3 | Li | Lithium | 0.534 | 20 (5.54×1017 kg) | 81.4–85.6 | 43.4–45.7 | 2020 | SMM [16] [g] | [h] |
4 | Be | Beryllium | 1.85 | 2.8 (7.756×1016 kg) | 857 | 1590 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [17] [i] | [j] |
5 | B | Boron | 2.34 | 10 (2.77×1017 kg) | 3.68 | 8.62 | 2019 | CEIC Data [18] [k] | [l] |
6 | C | Carbon | 2.267 | 200 (5.54×1018 kg) | 0.122 | 0.28 | 2018 | EIA Coal [19] | [m] |
7 | N | Nitrogen | 0.0012506 | 19 (5.263×1017 kg) | 0.140 | 0.000175 | 2001 | Hypertextbook [24] | [n] |
8 | O | Oxygen | 0.001429 | 461000 (1.277×1022 kg) | 0.154 | 0.000220 | 2001 | Hypertextbook [24] | [o] |
9 | F | Fluorine | 0.001696 | 585 (1.62×1019 kg) | 1.84–2.16 | 0.00311 – 0.00365 | 2017 | Echemi [25] | [p] |
10 | Ne | Neon | 0.0008999 | 0.005 (1.385×1014 kg) | 240 | 0.21 | 1999 | Ullmann [26] | [q] |
11 | Na | Sodium | 0.971 | 23600 (6.537×1020 kg) | 2.57–3.43 | 2.49–3.33 | 2020 | SMM [27] [g] | [r] |
12 | Mg | Magnesium | 1.738 | 23300 (6.454×1020 kg) | 2.32 | 4.03 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [t] |
13 | Al | Aluminium | 2.698 | 82300 (2.28×1021 kg) | 1.79 | 4.84 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [u] |
14 | Si | Silicon | 2.3296 | 282000 (7.811×1021 kg) | 1.70 | 3.97 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [v] |
15 | P | Phosphorus | 1.82 | 1050 (2.909×1019 kg) | 2.69 | 4.90 | 2019 | CEIC Data [18] [k] | [w] |
16 | S | Sulfur | 2.067 | 350 (9.695×1018 kg) | 0.0926 | 0.191 | 2019 | CEIC Data [18] [k] | |
17 | Cl | Chlorine | 0.003214 | 145 (4.075×1018 kg) | 0.082 | 0.00026 | 2013 | CnAgri [29] | [x] |
18 | Ar | Argon | 0.0017837 | 3.5 (9.695×1016 kg) | 0.931 | 0.00166 | 2019 | UNLV [31] | [y] |
19 | K | Potassium | 0.862 | 20900 (5.789×1020 kg) | 12.1–13.6 | 10.5–11.7 | 2020 | SMM [32] [g] | [z] |
20 | Ca | Calcium | 1.54 | 41500 (1.15×1021 kg) | 2.21–2.35 | 3.41–3.63 | 2020 | SMM [33] [g] | [aa] |
21 | Sc | Scandium | 2.989 | 22 (6.094×1017 kg) | 3460 | 10300 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [ac] |
22 | Ti | Titanium | 4.54 | 5650 (1.565×1020 kg) | 11.1–11.7 | 50.5–53.1 | 2020 | SMM [35] [g] | [ad] |
23 | V | Vanadium | 6.11 | 120 (3.324×1018 kg) | 357–385 | 2180–2350 | 2020 | SMM [36] [g] | [ae] |
24 | Cr | Chromium | 7.15 | 102 (2.825×1018 kg) | 9.40 | 67.2 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [af] |
25 | Mn | Manganese | 7.44 | 950 (2.632×1019 kg) | 1.82 | 13.6 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [ag] |
26 | Fe | Iron | 7.874 | 56300 (1.565×1021 kg) | 0.424 | 3.34 | 2020 | SMM [37] [g] | [ah] |
27 | Co | Cobalt | 8.86 | 25 (6.925×1017 kg) | 32.8 | 291 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [ai] |
28 | Ni | Nickel | 8.912 | 84 (2.327×1018 kg) | 13.9 | 124 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [aj] |
29 | Cu | Copper | 8.96 | 60 (1.662×1018 kg) | 6.00 | 53.8 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [ak] |
30 | Zn | Zinc | 7.134 | 70 (1.939×1018 kg) | 2.55 | 18.2 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [al] |
31 | Ga | Gallium | 5.907 | 19 (5.263×1017 kg) | 148 | 872 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [am] |
32 | Ge | Germanium | 5.323 | 1.5 (4.155×1016 kg) | 914–1010 | 4860–5390 | 2020 | SMM [39] [g] | [an] |
33 | As | Arsenic | 5.776 | 1.8 (4.986×1016 kg) | 0.999–1.31 | 5.77–7.58 | 2020 | SMM [40] [g] | [ao] |
34 | Se | Selenium | 4.809 | 0.05 (1.385×1015 kg) | 21.4 | 103 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [ap] |
35 | Br | Bromine | 3.122 | 2.4 (6.648×1016 kg) | 4.39 | 13.7 | 2019 | CEIC Data [18] [k] | |
36 | Kr | Krypton | 0.003733 | 1×10−4 (2.77×1012 kg) | 290 | 1.1 | 1999 | Ullmann [26] | [aq] |
37 | Rb | Rubidium | 1.532 | 90 (2.493×1018 kg) | 15500 | 23700 | 2018 | USGS MCS [14] | [ar] |
38 | Sr | Strontium | 2.64 | 370 (1.025×1019 kg) | 6.53–6.68 | 17.2–17.6 | 2019 | ISE 2019 [41] | [as] |
39 | Y | Yttrium | 4.469 | 33 (9.141×1017 kg) | 31.0 | 139 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [at] |
40 | Zr | Zirconium | 6.506 | 165 (4.571×1018 kg) | 35.7–37.1 | 232–241 | 2020 | SMM [42] [g] | [au] |
41 | Nb | Niobium | 8.57 | 20 (5.54×1017 kg) | 61.4–85.6 | 526–734 | 2020 | SMM [43] [g] | [av] |
42 | Mo | Molybdenum | 10.22 | 1.2 (3.324×1016 kg) | 40.1 | 410 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [aw] |
43 | Tc | Technetium | 11.5 | ~ 3×10−9 [ax] (8.31×107 kg) | 100000 | 1200000 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook [az] | |
43 | 99mTc | Technetium-99m | 11.5 | 1.9×1012 | 22×1012 | 2008 | NRC [46] | [ba] | |
44 | Ru | Ruthenium | 12.37 | 0.001 (2.77×1013 kg) | 10400 – 10600 | 129000 – 131000 | 2020 | SMM [47] [g] | [bb] |
45 | Rh | Rhodium | 12.41 | 0.001 (2.77×1013 kg) | 147000 | 1820000 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bc] |
46 | Pd | Palladium | 12.02 | 0.015 (4.155×1014 kg) | 49500 | 595000 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bd] |
47 | Ag | Silver | 10.501 | 0.075 (2.0775×1015 kg) | 521 | 5470 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [be] |
48 | Cd | Cadmium | 8.69 | 0.159 (4.4043×1015 kg) | 2.73 | 23.8 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bf] |
49 | In | Indium | 7.31 | 0.25 (6.925×1015 kg) | 167 | 1220 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bg] |
50 | Sn | Tin | 7.287 | 2.3 (6.371×1016 kg) | 18.7 | 136 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bh] |
51 | Sb | Antimony | 6.685 | 0.2 (5.54×1015 kg) | 5.79 | 38.7 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bi] |
52 | Te | Tellurium | 6.232 | 0.001 (2.77×1013 kg) | 63.5 | 396 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bj] |
53 | I | Iodine | 4.93 | 0.45 (1.2465×1016 kg) | 35 | 173 | 2019 | Industrial Minerals [48] | [bk] |
54 | Xe | Xenon | 0.005887 | 3×10−5 (8.31×1011 kg) | 1800 | 11 | 1999 | Ullmann [26] | [bl] |
55 | Cs | Caesium | 1.873 | 3 (8.31×1016 kg) | 61800 | 116000 | 2018 | USGS MCS [14] | [bm] |
56 | Ba | Barium | 3.594 | 425 (1.177×1019 kg) | 0.246–0.275 | 0.886–0.990 | 2016 | USGS MYB 2016 [49] | [bn] |
57 | La | Lanthanum | 6.145 | 39 (1.08×1018 kg) | 4.78–4.92 | 29.4–30.3 | 2020 | SMM [51] [g] | [bo] |
58 | Ce | Cerium | 6.77 | 66.5 (1.84205×1018 kg) | 4.57–4.71 | 30.9–31.9 | 2020 | SMM [52] [g] | [bp] |
59 | Pr | Praseodymium | 6.773 | 9.2 (2.5484×1017 kg) | 103 | 695 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bq] |
60 | Nd | Neodymium | 7.007 | 41.5 (1.14955×1018 kg) | 57.5 | 403 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [br] |
61 | 147Pm | Promethium-147 | 7.26 | 460000 | 3400000 | 2003 | Radiochemistry Society [53] | [bs] | |
62 | Sm | Samarium | 7.52 | 7.05 (1.95285×1017 kg) | 13.9 | 104 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bt] |
63 | Eu | Europium | 5.243 | 2 (5.54×1016 kg) | 31.4 | 165 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [bu] |
64 | Gd | Gadolinium | 7.895 | 6.2 (1.7174×1017 kg) | 28.6 | 226 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [bv] |
65 | Tb | Terbium | 8.229 | 1.2 (3.324×1016 kg) | 658 | 5410 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bw] |
66 | Dy | Dysprosium | 8.55 | 5.2 (1.4404×1017 kg) | 307 | 2630 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [bx] |
67 | Ho | Holmium | 8.795 | 1.3 (3.601×1016 kg) | 57.1 | 503 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [by] |
68 | Er | Erbium | 9.066 | 3.5 (9.695×1016 kg) | 26.4 | 240 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [bz] |
69 | Tm | Thulium | 9.321 | 0.52 (1.4404×1016 kg) | 3000 | 28000 | 2003 | IMAR [54] [ca] | [cb] |
70 | Yb | Ytterbium | 6.965 | 3.2 (8.864×1016 kg) | 17.1 | 119 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [cc] |
71 | Lu | Lutetium | 9.84 | 0.8 (2.216×1016 kg) | 643 | 6330 | 2020 | ISE 2020 [34] [ab] | [cd] |
72 | Hf | Hafnium | 13.31 | 3 (8.31×1016 kg) | 900 | 12000 | 2017 | USGS MCS [14] | [ce] |
73 | Ta | Tantalum | 16.654 | 2 (5.54×1016 kg) | 298–312 | 4960–5200 | 2019 | ISE 2019 [41] | [cf] |
74 | W | Tungsten | 19.25 | 1.3 (3.601×1016 kg) | 35.3 | 679 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [cg] |
75 | Re | Rhenium | 21.02 | 7×10−4 (1.939×1013 kg) | 3010–4150 | 63300 – 87300 | 2020 | SMM [55] [g] | [ch] |
76 | Os | Osmium | 22.61 | 0.002 (5.54×1013 kg) | 12000 | 280000 | 2016 | Fastmarkets [ci] | |
77 | Ir | Iridium | 22.56 | 0.001 (2.77×1013 kg) | 55500 – 56200 | 1250000 – 1270000 | 2020 | SMM [58] [g] | [cj] |
78 | Pt | Platinum | 21.46 | 0.005 (1.385×1014 kg) | 27800 | 596000 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [ck] |
79 | Au | Gold | 19.282 | 0.004 (1.108×1014 kg) | 75430 | 1454441 | 2024 | London gold fix | [cl] |
80 | Hg | Mercury | 13.5336 | 0.085 (2.3545×1015 kg) | 30.2 | 409 | 2017 | USGS MCS [14] | [cm] |
81 | Tl | Thallium | 11.85 | 0.85 (2.3545×1016 kg) | 4200 | 49800 | 2017 | USGS MCS [14] | |
82 | Pb | Lead | 11.342 | 14 (3.878×1017 kg) | 2.00 | 22.6 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [cn] |
83 | Bi | Bismuth | 9.807 | 0.009 (2.493×1014 kg) | 6.36 | 62.4 | 2019 | Preismonitor [20] [s] | [co] |
84 | 209Po | Polonium-209 | 9.32 | 49.2×1012 | 458×1012 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | ||
85 | At | Astatine | 7 | 3×10−20 [ax] (8.31×10−4 kg) | Not traded. | [cq] | |||
86 | Rn | Radon | 0.00973 | 4×10−13 [ax] (1.108×104 kg) | Not traded. | [cr] | |||
87 | Fr | Francium | 1.87 | ~ 1×10−18 [ax] (2.77×10−2 kg) | Not traded. | [cs] | |||
88 | Ra | Radium | 5.5 | 9×10−7 [ax] (2.493×1010 kg) | Negative price. | [ct] | |||
89 | 225Ac | Actinium-225 | 10.07 | 29×1012 | 290×1012 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | ||
90 | Th | Thorium | 11.72 | 9.6 (2.6592×1017 kg) | 287 | 3360 | 2010 | USGS MYB 2012 [63] | [cu] |
91 | Pa | Protactinium | 15.37 | 1.4×10−6 [ax] (3.878×1010 kg) | No reliable price available. | [cv] | |||
92 | U | Uranium | 18.95 | 2.7 (7.479×1016 kg) | 101 | 1910 | 2018 | EIA Uranium Marketing [65] | [cw] |
93 | Np | Neptunium | 20.45 | ≤ 3×10−12 [ax] (8.31×104 kg) | 660000 | 13500000 | 2003 [ay] | Pomona [66] | [cx] |
94 | 239Pu | Plutonium-239 | 19.84 | 6490000 | 129000000 | 2019 | DOE OSTI [67] | [cy] | |
95 | 241Am | Americium-241 | 13.69 | 0 | 728000 | 9970000 | 1998 | NWA [68] [cz] | [da] |
95 | 243Am | Americium-243 | 13.69 | 0 | 750000 | 10300000 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
96 | 244Cm | Curium-244 | 13.51 | 0 | 185000000 | 2.50×109 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
96 | 248Cm | Curium-248 | 13.51 | 0 | 160×109 | 2.16×1012 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
97 | 249Bk | Berkelium-249 | 14.79 | 0 | 185×109 | 2.74×1012 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
98 | 249Cf | Californium-249 | 15.1 | 0 | 185×109 | 2.79×1012 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
98 | 252Cf | Californium-252 | 15.1 | 0 | 60.0×109 | 906×109 | 2004 [ay] | CRC Handbook (ORNL) [cp] | |
99 | Es | Einsteinium | 8.84 | 0 | Not traded. | [db] | |||
100 | Fm | Fermium | (9.7) | 0 | Not traded. | [dc] | |||
101 | Md | Mendelevium | (10.3) | 0 | Not traded. | [dd] | |||
102 | No | Nobelium | (9.9) | 0 | Not traded. | [de] | |||
103 | Lr | Lawrencium | (15.6) | 0 | Not traded. | [df] | |||
104 | Rf | Rutherfordium | (23.2) | 0 | Not traded. | [dg] | |||
105 | Db | Dubnium | (29.3) | 0 | Not traded. | [dh] | |||
106 | Sg | Seaborgium | (35.0) | 0 | Not traded. | [di] | |||
107 | Bh | Bohrium | (37.1) | 0 | Not traded. | [dj] | |||
108 | Hs | Hassium | (40.7) | 0 | Not traded. | [dk] | |||
109 | Mt | Meitnerium | (37.4) | 0 | Not traded. | [dl] | |||
110 | Ds | Darmstadtium | (34.8) | 0 | Not traded. | [dm] | |||
111 | Rg | Roentgenium | (28.7) | 0 | Not traded. | [dn] | |||
112 | Cn | Copernicium | (14.0) | 0 | Not traded. | [do] | |||
113 | Nh | Nihonium | (16) | 0 | Not traded. | [dp] | |||
114 | Fl | Flerovium | (9.928) | 0 | Not traded. | [dq] | |||
115 | Mc | Moscovium | (13.5) | 0 | Not traded. | [dr] | |||
116 | Lv | Livermorium | (12.9) | 0 | Not traded. | [ds] | |||
117 | Ts | Tennessine | (7.2) | 0 | Not traded. | [dt] | |||
118 | Og | Oganesson | (7) | 0 | Not traded. | [du] |
Bohrium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Bh and atomic number 107. It is named after Danish physicist Niels Bohr. As a synthetic element, it can be created in particle accelerators but is not found in nature. All known isotopes of bohrium are highly radioactive; the most stable known isotope is 270Bh with a half-life of approximately 2.4 minutes, though the unconfirmed 278Bh may have a longer half-life of about 11.5 minutes.
A chemical element is a chemical substance whose atoms all have the same number of protons. The number of protons is called the atomic number of that element. For example, oxygen has an atomic number of 8, meaning each oxygen atom has 8 protons in its nucleus. Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, known as isotopes of the element. Two or more atoms can combine to form molecules. Some elements are formed from molecules of identical atoms, e. g. atoms of hydrogen (H) form diatomic molecules (H2). Chemical compounds are substances made of atoms of different elements; they can have molecular or non-molecular structure. Mixtures are materials containing different chemical substances; that means (in case of molecular substances) that they contain different types of molecules. Atoms of one element can be transformed into atoms of a different element in nuclear reactions, which change an atom's atomic number.
Deuterium (hydrogen-2, symbol 2H or D, also known as heavy hydrogen) is one of two stable isotopes of hydrogen; the other is protium, or hydrogen-1, 1H. The deuterium nucleus (deuteron) contains one proton and one neutron, whereas the far more common 1H has no neutrons. Deuterium has a natural abundance in Earth's oceans of about one atom of deuterium in every 6,420 atoms of hydrogen. Thus, deuterium accounts for about 0.0156% by number (0.0312% by mass) of all hydrogen in the ocean: 4.85×1013 tonnes of deuterium – mainly as HOD (or 1HO2H or 1H2HO) and only rarely as D2O (or 2H2O) (Deuterium Oxide, also known as Heavy Water)– in 1.4×1018 tonnes of water. The abundance of 2H changes slightly from one kind of natural water to another (see Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water).
Einsteinium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Es and atomic number 99. It is named after Albert Einstein and is a member of the actinide series and the seventh transuranium element.
Heavy water is a form of water in which hydrogen atoms are all deuterium rather than the common hydrogen-1 isotope that makes up most of the hydrogen in normal water. The presence of the heavier isotope gives the water different nuclear properties, and the increase in mass gives it slightly different physical and chemical properties when compared to normal water.
Lithium is a chemical element; it has symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal. Under standard conditions, it is the least dense metal and the least dense solid element. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable, and must be stored in vacuum, inert atmosphere, or inert liquid such as purified kerosene or mineral oil. It exhibits a metallic luster. It corrodes quickly in air to a dull silvery gray, then black tarnish. It does not occur freely in nature, but occurs mainly as pegmatitic minerals, which were once the main source of lithium. Due to its solubility as an ion, it is present in ocean water and is commonly obtained from brines. Lithium metal is isolated electrolytically from a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
Mendelevium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Md and atomic number 101. A metallic radioactive transuranium element in the actinide series, it is the first element by atomic number that currently cannot be produced in macroscopic quantities by neutron bombardment of lighter elements. It is the third-to-last actinide and the ninth transuranic element and the first transfermium. It can only be produced in particle accelerators by bombarding lighter elements with charged particles. Seventeen isotopes are known; the most stable is 258Md with half-life 51.59 days; however, the shorter-lived 256Md is most commonly used in chemistry because it can be produced on a larger scale.
Meitnerium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Mt and atomic number 109. It is an extremely radioactive synthetic element. The most stable known isotope, meitnerium-278, has a half-life of 4.5 seconds, although the unconfirmed meitnerium-282 may have a longer half-life of 67 seconds. The element was first synthesized in August 1982 by the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research near Darmstadt, Germany, and it was named after Lise Meitner in 1997.
Nobelium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol No and atomic number 102. It is named after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and benefactor of science. A radioactive metal, it is the tenth transuranium element, the second transfermium, and is the penultimate member of the actinide series. Like all elements with atomic number over 100, nobelium can only be produced in particle accelerators by bombarding lighter elements with charged particles. A total of twelve nobelium isotopes are known to exist; the most stable is 259No with a half-life of 58 minutes, but the shorter-lived 255No is most commonly used in chemistry because it can be produced on a larger scale.
Rutherfordium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Rf and atomic number 104. It is named after physicist Ernest Rutherford. As a synthetic element, it is not found in nature and can only be made in a particle accelerator. It is radioactive; the most stable known isotope, 267Rf, has a half-life of about 48 minutes.
Technetium is a chemical element; it has symbol Tc and atomic number 43. It is the lightest element whose isotopes are all radioactive. Technetium and promethium are the only radioactive elements whose neighbours in the sense of atomic number are both stable. All available technetium is produced as a synthetic element. Naturally occurring technetium is a spontaneous fission product in uranium ore and thorium ore, or the product of neutron capture in molybdenum ores. This silvery gray, crystalline transition metal lies between manganese and rhenium in group 7 of the periodic table, and its chemical properties are intermediate between those of both adjacent elements. The most common naturally occurring isotope is 99Tc, in traces only.
Isotope separation is the process of concentrating specific isotopes of a chemical element by removing other isotopes. The use of the nuclides produced is varied. The largest variety is used in research. By tonnage, separating natural uranium into enriched uranium and depleted uranium is the largest application. In the following text, mainly uranium enrichment is considered. This process is crucial in the manufacture of uranium fuel for nuclear power plants and is also required for the creation of uranium-based nuclear weapons. Plutonium-based weapons use plutonium produced in a nuclear reactor, which must be operated in such a way as to produce plutonium already of suitable isotopic mix or grade.
Livermorium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Lv and atomic number 116. It is an extremely radioactive element that has only been created in a laboratory setting and has not been observed in nature. The element is named after the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States, which collaborated with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Russia, to discover livermorium during experiments conducted between 2000 and 2006. The name of the laboratory refers to the city of Livermore, California, where it is located, which in turn was named after the rancher and landowner Robert Livermore. The name was adopted by IUPAC on May 30, 2012. Six isotopes of livermorium are known, with mass numbers of 288–293 inclusive; the longest-lived among them is livermorium-293 with a half-life of about 80 milliseconds. A seventh possible isotope with mass number 294 has been reported but not yet confirmed.
Copernicium is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Cn and atomic number 112. Its known isotopes are extremely radioactive, and have only been created in a laboratory. The most stable known isotope, copernicium-285, has a half-life of approximately 30 seconds. Copernicium was first created in February 1996 by the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research near Darmstadt, Germany. It was named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus on his 537th anniversary.
Precious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value. Precious metals, particularly the noble metals, are more corrosion resistant and less chemically reactive than most elements. They are usually ductile and have a high lustre. Historically, precious metals were important as currency but they are now regarded mainly as investment and industrial raw materials. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium each have an ISO 4217 currency code.
The synthesis of precious metals involves the use of either nuclear reactors or particle accelerators to produce these elements.
Hydrogen (1H) has three naturally occurring isotopes: 1H, 2H, and 3H. 1H and 2H are stable, while 3H has a half-life of 12.32(2) years. Heavier isotopes also exist; all are synthetic and have a half-life of less than 1 zeptosecond (10−21 s). Of these, 5H is the least stable, while 7H is the most.
Helium (2He) has nine known isotopes, but only helium-3 (3He) and helium-4 (4He) are stable. All radioisotopes are short-lived; the longest-lived is 6He with half-life 806.92(24) milliseconds. The least stable is 10He, with half-life 260(40) yoctoseconds, though 2He may have an even shorter half-life.
Technetium-99 (99Tc) is an isotope of technetium which decays with a half-life of 211,000 years to stable ruthenium-99, emitting beta particles, but no gamma rays. It is the most significant long-lived fission product of uranium fission, producing the largest fraction of the total long-lived radiation emissions of nuclear waste. Technetium-99 has a fission product yield of 6.0507% for thermal neutron fission of uranium-235.
Deuterium-depleted water (DDW) is water which has a lower concentration of deuterium than occurs naturally at sea level on Earth.
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