There are rare chemical elements, and then there is tennessine.
Only a couple dozen atoms of the stuff have ever existed. For the 150th anniversary of the periodic table, NPR science correspondent Joe Palca shares the convoluted story of one of the latest elements to be added.
Follow Maddie on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the team at shortwave@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Brit Hanson, edited by Andrea Kissack, and fact checked by Emily Vaughn.
Short Wave Podcast
It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.