115 Mc (290)

Moscovium

Post-transition metal * Moscovium solid Radioactivity

[Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p³ · 2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 32 · 18 · 5

An element named after Moscow Oblast, where Dubna lies. Moscovium decays into nihonium, and observing that chain helped confirm the discovery of element 113.

3D model

Bohr model: nucleus and electron shells from the real configuration. Valence electrons are highlighted.

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Atomic properties

Atomic number
115
Atomic mass
290 а.е.м.
№4 / 118
Electron configuration
[Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p³
Electrons per shell
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 32 · 18 · 5
Block
p-block
Group
Pnictogens
Period
7
Electronegativity (Pauling)
no data
Electronegativity (Allen)
no data
Atomic radius
no data
Covalent radius
162 pm
№48 / 118
Van der Waals radius
no data
Ionisation energy 1
538.4 kJ/mol
№103 / 118
Electron affinity
35.3 kJ/mol
№69 / 108
Common oxidation states
+1
Oxidation states
+1, +3

Physical properties

State at 25 °C
solid
Density
13.5 g/cm³
№28 / 118
Melting point
670 K · 396.9 °C
№76 / 111
Boiling point
1 400 K · 1 126.9 °C
№72 / 107
Speed of sound
no data

Thermal properties

Heat of fusion
no data
Heat of vaporisation
no data
Specific heat capacity
no data
Thermal conductivity
no data

Mechanical properties

Young's modulus
no data
Shear modulus
no data
Bulk modulus
no data
Poisson ratio
no data
Mohs hardness
no data
Brinell hardness
no data

Electrical and magnetic properties

Electrical resistivity
no data
Magnetic ordering
no data
Curie point
no data
Néel point
no data
Superconducting point
no data

Crystal structure

Crystal structure
no data
Lattice constants
no data

Abundance

In the crust
mg/kg
№88 / 88
In the ocean
mg/L
№78 / 78
In the universe
mg/kg
№83 / 83
In the human body
mg/kg
№40 / 40

Isotopes

Isotope Abundance Half-life Decay mode
288Mc 0.17 s α
290Mc 0.65 s α

Moscovium-290, half-life about 0.65 seconds, is the longest-lived known isotope.

Discovery

Year of discovery
2003
№3 / 108
Discovered by
JINR and Lawrence Livermore
Where
Dubna, Russia
Origin of the name
after Moscow Oblast, where Dubna lies

History

JINR with Lawrence Livermore synthesised element 115 in 2003 by bombarding americium-243 with calcium-48 ions. The name was confirmed in 2016.

Where it occurs

Absent from nature.

How it is produced

By nuclear fusion: americium-243 bombarded with calcium-48 ions.

Role in living things

No biological role.

Safety

Only single atoms are ever handled.

Uses

Fundamental research

Curiosities

  • The moscovium decay chain runs through nihonium, confirming two elements at once.
  • The name refers to Moscow Oblast, not to the city of Moscow.
  • Element 115 featured in UFO conspiracy stories long before it was actually synthesised.
  • Elements 115 and 117 were made by Russian and American laboratories working together at a low point in political relations.

Position in the table

Mc