Rubidiumia

Rubidiumia is a hypothetical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 120. It would be an alkali metal, located in the eighth period of the periodic table, directly below francium. As of current scientific understanding, rubidiumia has not been synthesized or observed. Its properties are predicted based on periodic trends and theoretical calculations.

Theoretical predictions suggest that rubidiumia would be a highly reactive metal, even more so than its lighter alkali metal counterparts. Its electron configuration is expected to be [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p6 8s1. Due to relativistic effects, which become more pronounced for heavier elements, its chemical behavior might deviate somewhat from simple extrapolations of alkali metal properties. For instance, the 8s electrons might be less available for bonding than expected, potentially leading to a less distinct +1 oxidation state compared to other alkali metals.

The synthesis of elements beyond the current known range, including element 120, is an active area of research in nuclear physics. This typically involves the fusion of atomic nuclei in particle accelerators. However, creating and detecting superheavy elements is extremely challenging due to their predicted short half-lives and the low probability of their formation. If synthesized, rubidiumia would likely be highly radioactive and exist for only a fleeting moment before decaying into lighter elements.