{"id":6369,"date":"2020-08-04T13:43:37","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T12:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=6369"},"modified":"2022-01-06T14:32:00","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T14:32:00","slug":"new-study-reveals-the-properties-of-astatine-the-rarest-element-on-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/new-study-reveals-the-properties-of-astatine-the-rarest-element-on-earth\/6369\/","title":{"rendered":"Study reveals the properties of astatine, the rarest element on Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"
For the first time, scientists using CERN\u2019s ISOLDE<\/a> nuclear-physics facility have measured the electron affinity of the chemical element astatine, the rarest naturally occurring element on Earth. In addition to increasing understanding of its properties, the findings of the study have practical implications because astatine is a promising candidate for the creation of chemical compounds for cancer treatment<\/a> by targeted alpha therapy.<\/p>\n Electron affinity, one of the most fundamental properties of a chemical element, refers to the energy released when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase to form a negative ion. As well as helping to develop our understanding of an element\u2019s ionisation energy, electron affinity defines several other traits of an element, such as electronegativity (its ability to attract shared electrons in chemical bonds).<\/p>\n Astatine is a member of the halogen family, which includes chlorine and iodine. Since its discovery in the 1940s, studies on astatine have mainly been based on theoretical calculations or on extrapolation from the properties of its relatives. The lack of research surrounding astatine is due to its lack of availability on Earth. Astatine can usually be found following the decay of thorium and uranium.<\/p>\nNew findings on the rarest element on Earth<\/h3>\n