Question

Since 1800, almost 200 sincere but erroneous reports of discovery of new chemical elements have been made. Why have mistaken reports of new elements been so numerous? Why is it relatively easy to prove that a material is not a chemical element, but difficult to prove absolutely that a material is an element?

Short answer

Mistaken reports regarding the discovery of the new elements have been so numerous because it is very difficult to prove that a particular material is an element absolutely. There could be many conditions possible for the misconception.

It can be proved very easily that the material is not a chemical element by just looking at its decomposition behavior and stability.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of chemical element

A chemical element is the “basic unit” of a substance which can’t be further broken down. A substance can be considered an element only if this property is satisfied, i.e., it can’t be further divided.

In some instances, a very stable material or compound exists, and these compounds can be mistaken for elements. Thus, it is difficult to completely prove that a particular material is an element.

Decomposition under suitable conditions

Stable compounds are often mistaken as elements, but under suitable conditions these materials or substances may tend to decompose. Thus, they can be divided and so cannot be elements.

Presence of exceptions in the surroundings

Some of the more recent difficulties in discovering new elements arise, for example, because the transuranium elements are all short-lived and only produced in laboratory conditions, making their assessment challenging.

Hence, it can be proved that the material is not a chemical element by just examining its decomposition behavior and stability.