Copernicium

Copernicium is a synthetic radioactive chemical element with atomic number 112 and symbol Cn. Its name honors astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

Atomic number: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which defines its chemical element. Copernicium's 112 protons distinguish it from every other element.
Nuclear fusion: A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. Fusion of projectile and target nuclei can produce copernicium.
Sigurd Hofmann: A German nuclear physicist who led research on the synthesis of several superheavy elements. His team at GSI reported the first production of copernicium.
Superheavy element research: Experimental and theoretical study of elements with very high atomic numbers and unstable nuclei. Copernicium research tests how far the periodic table can extend.
Periodic table: A tabular arrangement of chemical elements ordered by atomic number and recurring chemical properties. Its position in the table places copernicium among the transactinides.
Lead-208: A stable isotope of lead containing 82 protons and 126 neutrons. Lead-208 served as the target nucleus in the discovery reaction.
GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research: A German research center specializing in heavy-ion physics and the production of exotic nuclei. The laboratory's experiments produced the first reported copernicium atoms.
Relativistic chemistry: The study of chemical effects arising from relativistic changes in electron motion, especially in heavy atoms. Calculations predict unusual electron behavior in copernicium's heavy atom.
Transactinide element: A chemical element with atomic number greater than 103. Copernicium belongs to this group of superheavy elements.
Zinc-70: An isotope of zinc containing 30 protons and 40 neutrons. Zinc-70 ions were fired at lead-208 to create copernicium nuclei.

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