What Makes an Element? The Frankenstein of Sodium Holds Clues

Published Nov 26, 2019, 7:34 AM
A few years ago, a group of physicists created an unusual, never-before-seen subatomic particle. Using a particle accelerator at Riken, a Japanese research institute, they slammed streams of calcium nuclei against a metal disk, over and over, for hours at a time. Then, sifting through the aftermath of the collisions, they found their coveted particle. They named their creation: sodium. That’s right, sodium.

WIRED Science

Get in-depth coverage of current and future trends in technology, and how they are shaping business, 
Social links
Follow podcast
Recent clips
Browse 2,105 clip(s)