News in Brief Physics

This heavy element has a football-shaped atomic nucleus

Researchers used lasers to probe individual nobelium atoms

Nobelium element abbreviation

BETTER SHAPE UP  The heavy element nobelium contains 102 protons in its nucleus. Scientists have measured its shape for the first time.

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By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

A heavy element’s nucleus is all bent out of shape.

Nobelium — element number 102 on the periodic table — has an atomic nucleus that is deformed into the shape of an American football, scientists report in the June 8 Physical Review Letters.