How are new elements created? Are they really new? Journey to the end of the periodic table with a video from the American Chemical Society's Reactions playlist. The narrator describes the conditions under which new elements are formed for confirmation by the IUPAC, how elements are named, and the future of the periodic table.

Concepts

chemical elements, the periodic table, atoms, chemical symbols, elements

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• The resource is a must-watch during any periodic table unit
• In advanced classes, propose the idea of elements beyond 118 and have pupils formulate arguments for or against an expansion of the current periodic table
  

Classroom Considerations

• Students should be familiar with the periodic table in its current state
  

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Humorous references throughout the video keep the subject light and fun
• The narrator gives a great, age-appropriate explanation for the process of forming heavy elements in the lab

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2