# The island of stability

- kind: problem
- status: open
- year: 1966

**Statement.** Do superheavy elements near 114 protons and 184 neutrons live long enough to study?

Nuclear shell theory predicts a region of relatively long-lived superheavy nuclei. The heaviest elements made so far, up to oganesson with 118 protons, lack enough neutrons to reach it. Nobody yet has a way to make the neutron-rich isotopes the island requires.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Island of stability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability)

[Materials](/wiki/Space:materials.md) · [Chemistry and matter](/wiki/Continent:chemistry.md)

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