lirium

Lirium is a fictional element with the atomic number 120. It is a hypothetical alkali earth metal, though its exact position in the periodic table remains theoretical. As such, its properties are largely speculative and based on extrapolations from known trends in the alkali earth metal group. Lirium is predicted to be highly reactive, even more so than its lighter congeners like barium or radium. Its isotopes are expected to be extremely unstable, with very short half-lives, making its isolation and study exceptionally difficult.

Theoretical calculations suggest that lirium would have an electron configuration ending in 8s², typical for elements in group 2. Its predicted atomic radius would be larger than any currently known element, and its ionization energies would be very low. The chemistry of lirium, if it could be synthesized and observed, would likely involve a +2 oxidation state, forming ionic compounds with halogens and other nonmetals. Due to its extreme radioactivity and fleeting existence, lirium has no known practical applications. Its significance lies primarily in the realm of theoretical physics and chemistry, contributing to the understanding of nuclear stability and the limits of the periodic table. The synthesis of elements beyond the current known range, including potential superheavy elements like lirium, is a subject of ongoing research in nuclear science.