New Elements and Exploding Whales

The video discusses the creation of new elements, including flerovium, livermorium, and element 117, highlighting the challenges and reasons for producing superheavy elements. It explains the instability of elements beyond uranium and the concept of an 'island of stability.' The video also covers the phenomenon of exploding whale carcasses, detailing the decomposition process and the buildup of gases that lead to explosions.

What is one of the main reasons scientists continue to create superheavy elements?

• To develop new medical treatments

• To create new types of fuel

• For scientific prestige and understanding atomic structure

• To improve nuclear weapons

What is the 'island of stability' in the context of superheavy elements?

• A concept related to the chemical reactivity of elements

• A place where elements are created more easily

• A theoretical area where superheavy elements might have longer half-lives

• A region where elements are more radioactive

What causes a whale carcass to potentially explode?

• The whale's blubber melting

• The buildup of gases from decomposing viscera

• The whale's skin drying out

• The whale's bones collapsing

Why are whales particularly prone to becoming 'balloons' after death?

• They have a lot of blubber and are watertight

• They have a unique digestive system

• Their skin is very thin

• Their bones are hollow

What should you avoid doing to a whale carcass to prevent an explosion?

• Covering it with a tarp

• Moving it to a different location

• Cutting a hole in it

• Touching its fins