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None of the synthetic elements (elements that do not occur naturally on earth and have only been produced artificially) have any known stable isotopes so they all decay releasing radioactivity, however none of the synthetic elements are particularly dangerous because they can only be synthesized in such small quantities that the radiation from their decay is negligible.
There are some elements that occur naturally but are more commonly synthesized for use in scientific experiments, atomic batteries for space probes, medicine for diagnostic tests or, in the case of plutonium, for nuclear weapons. All of the elements thus synthesized are radioactive to one degree or another.
Medical isotopes produced synthetically are generally a moderate radiation hazard if not handled properly; inhaling their dust can cause cancer.
Some of the other naturally occurring but often synthesized elements are less benign.
- Polonium was used in some early nuclear weapons and is highly radioactive. Fortunately it is only produced in very small quantities for industrial use (perhaps 100 g in a year). Applications typically utilize it in quantities less than 500 microcuries - which poses little hazard. It is notable that Alexander Litvinenko - a FSB and KGB agent who defected to the British was assassinated by an operative who slipped something like 10 micrograms of polonium into his tea - around 5 times the lethal dose.
- Actinium is also highly radioactive but has no industrial use due to its radioactivity and extremely high cost to produce. Scientists experimenting with actinium must take standard precautions for working with highly radioactive materials. Because it is only useful for scientific studies only minute quantities are produced.
- Proactinium is also highly radioactive but only useful for scientific studies, thus only extremely small quantities are produced.
- Neptunium is mostly useful as a precursor in the production of Plutonium. It has a very short half-life and is thus not as high risk as longer half-life materials. In the past it was produced and refined in enough quantity for scientists to find out it is pyrophoric; small grains of nearly pure neptunium will ignite spontaneously in air at room temperature.
- Plutonium has uses as fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It is highly radioactive with the accompanying dangers of radiation. In the wrong hands it could also be used to produce a nuclear weapon or a "dirty bomb".
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What is an example of a synthetic fibre?
Nylon is one example of a synthetic (man-made) fibre.
How can one detect cellular damage from directed energy or microwave weapons?
one can detect danger by there beu=ing smoke
What is the danger of putting a cat bed too close to a radiator?
One of the dangers of putting a cat bed too close to a radiator is it may be harmful for a cat's health as they may overheat. Another danger is that it may cause a fire.
What do all the elements have in common?
All elements have a specific signature, whereby one element is exactly different from another element.
What are shirts made out of?
Shirts are made out of different materials. One of the most common materials for shirts is cotton, but they may also be made out of silk, wool, or synthetic materials.
What is synthetic element?
a synthetic element is not naturally found in the earth, they are handmade elements. OR elements that do not occur naturally and that are made in laboratories.
How are synthetic elements created?
When nuclear particles are forced to crash into one another
What is the general process by which elements are synthesized?
Scientists make synthetic elements by forcing nuclear particles to crash into one another.
What is the difference between synthetic elements and other elements?
Synthetic elements are those which have been produced by scientists in a laboratory, but not yet discovered occurring naturally. They are true elements because they occupy missing spaces on the periodic chart....they adjust the number of electrons, i.e., in one element to create another.
Describe the general process by which new elements are synthesized?
Scientists make synthetic elements by forcing nuclear particles to crash into one another.
How are cyclotrons used to created synthetic elements?
charged particles of a cyclotron are given one pulse of energy after another making them speed up to very high energies. the particles then collide and fuse with atomic nuclei to produce synthetic elements
What is simulation research?
Simulation research, refers to that research in which synthetic elements are used to effectively replicate contexts in the 'virtual world'. These Synthetic elements of the virtual world are accurate representations of the real world. The experience of these is similar to what one would experience in the real world
Are actinides and lanthanide elements transition metals?
no they are not. actinide is not part of the transition metals.
What describes a synthetic reaction?
Synthesis when two or more compounds or elements react to pruduce one new compound. A + B (+ C) --> P
What is the name of a synthetic steroid hormone that can be taken orally for birth control?
Levonorgestrel is one.
Why are synthetic elements made?
It depends on the element. Some synthetic elements can be made by bombarding the nucleus of a lighter element with protons or alpha particles. The heavier synthetic elements are made by colliding atomic nuclei with one another.
What does it mean to be gifted with synthetic abilities?
To poses synthetic abilities or synthetic intelligence means the opposite of possessing analytic abilities. Where analysis is to deconstruct a thing into its elements, to synthesise is to bring together elements to form a new thing. It is a creative ability that requires understanding of the whole and the relation of its parts. In his "triarchic theory of intelligence" (2003), Psychologist Robert Sternberg (1947) describes synthetic intelligence as one of three forms of intelligence, among analytic intelligence and practical intelligence.
