112Cn Copernicium
Year Discovered
1996
Discovered By
S. Hoffmann, V. Ninov, F. Hessberger, P. Armbruster and G. Munzenberg and others of Germany
Biological Rating
Not necessary for life.
Description
Copernicium is a highly radioactive metal. It has never been found naturally and only a few atoms have been produced in laboratories. Its chemistry and appearance are not known with any certainty, although the chemistry is believed to be similar to mercury. Copernicium is too rare to have any commercial or industrial application. The most stable isotope of Copernicium has a half-life of a thousandth of a second.
Biological Benefits
Copernicium has no biological use.
Role in Life Processes
No known benefits for life processes in plants and animals.
Sources
Copernicium is obtained by the fusion process of bombarding lead with zinc.
