Description
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Hassium is a synthetic element that is one of the transition metals. Not much is known about this element, but it is predicted to be a silver or grey color in its (presumed) solid state. It has an atomic weight of 278, and the melting and boiling points are not known. There are currently no commercial uses for hassium, nor any predicted commercial uses. Further studies on this element are planned but have not been conducted thus far.
Isolation
Hassium does not exist in nature in any form. This element can only be synthesized for short periods of time using specialized equipment and procedures.
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Hassium has only been synthesized in very minute quantities; in fact, this element has only been synthesized to the amount of a few atoms. Because these particles are so difficult to synthesize, and the isotopes decay so quickly, future synthesis of hassium is highly questionable; to this date hassium has never been isolated. The only production of hassium that has been successful has required the use of a nuclear reactor. For this procedure an isotope of lead, number 208, was fused in the nuclear reactor with an isotope, number 58, of iron. The fusion led to the formation of an isotope of hassium, number 265, and one neutron. The formation of a new isotope of hassium, number 270, was produced in December of 2006. The isotope that was produced had a half life of 22 seconds; this seemingly short half life is actually considered to be quite lengthy for the synthetic elements.