Scientists produced a few atoms of element 112 by bombarding a lead target with zinc atoms , in 1996.?

Question

Each atom of element 112 lasted only 240 microseconds.

I'd like to know how they could realize the chemical and physical properties of that element in such short amount of time?

Answer 1

No chemical or physical properties are known for element 112 from experiment. Its existence and, the fact it's a single atom, precludes the measuring of properties.

However, theory can tell us much about what it's likely to be like.

Answer 2

As far as I could find, there is almost no information on element 112. Most of its properties remain unknown. This is indeed a consequence of the difficulty in obtaining significant amounts of the element and the short half-life time.

One can assume certain properties based on the group of the periodic table where the element in located. Element 112 is in the last group of transition metals, right below Hg. Thus, one expects 112 to have certain metallic character, perhaps even to be a liquid (Hg is right above) and have reactivity similar to Hg and Cd. I think that beyond this assumptions you will not find much more information on this element.

Check
http://www.apsidium.com/elements/112.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ununbium

for some small info on the element.

Answer 3

They use theoretical particle physics. It's not from actual measurements. All they did was time how long it took for the atom to break down.

Answer 4

The periodic table.