Neptunium

 

 

   Neptunium is an element that sits between uranium and plutonium, with the atomic number of 93.It is part of the actinide series, which is a series of radioactive metals with the atomic numbers from 89 to 103. Neptunium has a silvery colour, it’s melting point is 644°C and its boiling point is 3,902 °C. It is solid at room temperature. Edwin McMillan and Philip H. Ableson first discovered Neptunium in 1940 at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory in California. They created Neptunium by adding an abundance of neutrons to the element uranium. At the time, scientists believed that Neptunium could only be created artificially, however in 1942 minuscule amounts of this element can be found in the earth’s crust. It is often found with ores containing uranium and other radioactive elements.

Neptunium got its name from the planet Neptune. Edwin McMillan and Philip H. Ableson decided to call element 93 Neptunium because just like our solar system it follows uranium or Uranus. Uranium was named by Martin Klaproth. This pattern continued until the element following Neptunium, which was named Plutonium (the following planet at the time) by Glenn T. Seaborg.

 

Although Neptunium is mainly used for study purposes there are a few uses to this element. Firstly, Neptunium can be used in equipment that help detect neutrons. In addition to this, Neptunium is able to produce plutonium when neutrons are added, which is often used in spacecraft generators and other equipment such as terrestrial navigation beacons. 

What questions did you need to research in order to research your topic?

1. What is Neptunium
2. What is the actinide series?
3. How is Neptunium useful?
4. When, how and who discovered Neptunium?
5. Why is this element called neptunium.
6. Is neptunium a naturally occurring element and where is it found?

What new or familiar tools did you try to use as you worked through this project?

At first, I tried to use a new tool that was provided to us, Gale, however I could not find much useful information and I even found that some information was outdated. So instead I used a familiar tool, Google and Safari, I was able to find up-to-date and useful information about my element and was able to use multiple sites to make sure their information corresponded and were reliable. I also frequently used a citation machine website so that I could properly make an MLA citation. However, I did use a tool that I often use but never for research youtube.

 What was the process you used to investigate the topic?

I created multiple questions that I would need to research the topic properly. Next, I researched using different sites such as Google, Gale, Youtube and Safari. I wrote notes on useful information I have gathered from each site to make my own paragraph. Throughout this process I recorded and created the citations of each website using a citation machine.

How did you verify and cite the information you found?

I visited multiple websites discussing the same topic to see if they correspond and are reliable. I also avoided using sites such as wikipedia because these sites allow anyone to input information about a topic even if it may not be factual. I would paste the websites url into a citation maker where it would scan and fill out the necessary information, unless the website already provided a MLA style citation.

How did the process of completing this challenge go? What could you have done better?

Overall, citing and finding reliable sources was not too challenging, I would’ve used more of new and different tools to research my topic. I found myself staying to websites that I have always used. I would’ve liked to learn more about different sites I could have used.

Citation

Gagnon, Steve. “It’s Elemental.” It’s Elemental – The Element Neptunium, Jefferson Lab, 25 Sept. 2019, https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele093.html.

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. “Actinides (Actinide Series).” ThoughtCo, Dec. 27, 2018, thoughtco.com/actinides-606643.

Moorhouse, Simon. “The Element of the Month – Neptunium.” The Element of the Month – Neptunium, Radleys, 27 Apr. 2016, https://www.radleys.com/news-events/blog/blog/2016/04/27/the-element-of-the-month—neptunium.

“Neptunium.” Chemicool Periodic Table. Chemicool.com. 07 Oct. 2012. Web. 9/23/2019 <https://www.chemicool.com/elements/neptunium.html>.

“NEPTUNIUM.” Chemistry Explained, http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/L-P/Neptunium.html.

Stoll, Carol. “Facts About Neptunium.” LiveScience, Purch, 10 Oct. 2017. https://www.livescience.com/39808-facts-about-neptunium.html

Videos, Periodic. YouTube, YouTube, 29 Nov. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=1D75B0_URbE.