Monotium

Monotium is a hypothetical element with the symbol Mt and atomic number 120. It is predicted to be an alkaline earth metal, situated in the s-block of the periodic table. As a superheavy element, monotium is expected to be highly unstable and radioactive, with a very short half-life. Its existence has not yet been experimentally confirmed, and it remains a theoretical entity within nuclear physics and chemistry.

The synthesis of element 120 would likely involve bombarding heavy target nuclei with lighter projectile nuclei. Theoretical calculations suggest that monotium would share some chemical properties with lighter alkaline earth metals such as calcium, strontium, barium, and radium, although relativistic effects at such high atomic numbers could lead to deviations from expected trends. Research into superheavy elements like monotium aims to explore the limits of nuclear stability and the structure of atomic nuclei. The potential discovery of monotium would be a significant achievement in the ongoing quest to expand the periodic table and understand the fundamental forces governing matter. Further experimental efforts are required to synthesize and detect this element.