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[Samarkand]

Supported on activated carbon.

[Samarkand]

((By the way, positronium isn't technically speaking an element.))

((Yes and no. It's not really an element because it is an exotic system that doesn't fall within our usual classification system. But it is like an element in an absurd number of ways, including the fact that it can bind to other elements to form molecules. PsH is commonly studied, and I'm sure there are others studied. It can also bind to itself to form dipositronium (Ps₂). When describing these species Ps is frequently described as an atom, implying that it is a type of element. On the other hand, structural analysis of these compounds reveals both atomic and molecular structures, suggesting Ps is somewhere in between an element and a non analogous exotic particle.))

[Remuthra]

((By the way, positronium isn't technically speaking an element.))

((Yes and no. It's not really an element because it is an exotic system that doesn't fall within our usual classification system. But it is like an element in an absurd number of ways, including the fact that it can bind to other elements to form molecules. PsH is commonly studied, and I'm sure there are others studied. It can also bind to itself to form dipositronium (Ps₂). When describing these species Ps is frequently described as an atom, implying that it is a type of element. On the other hand, structural analysis of these compounds reveals both atomic and molecular structures, suggesting Ps is somewhere in between an element and a non analogous exotic particle.))

((Yes, but more importantly it isn't actually on the periodic table .))

[GreatWyrmGold]

Experiment with the possibility of mixing with other elements and see how that turns out.

Hey now, you'd better make sure the other element's fine with it. And careful about reacting with too many casual reactants.

((Yes and no. It's not really an element because it is an exotic system that doesn't fall within our usual classification system. But it is like an element in an absurd number of ways, including the fact that it can bind to other elements to form molecules. PsH is commonly studied, and I'm sure there are others studied. It can also bind to itself to form dipositronium (Ps₂). When describing these species Ps is frequently described as an atom, implying that it is a type of element. On the other hand, structural analysis of these compounds reveals both atomic and molecular structures, suggesting Ps is somewhere in between an element and a non analogous exotic particle.))

You might as well argue that, say, hydronium ions or plain electrons are also elements, because they can bind with atoms to form molecules. It acts like an atom (briefly), but that doesn't mean it is an atom, and that certainly doesn't make it an element.

[Samarkand]

You might as well argue that, say, hydronium ions or plain electrons are also elements, because they can bind with atoms to form molecules. It acts like an atom (briefly), but that doesn't mean it is an atom, and that certainly doesn't make it an element.

((Hydronium is distinguished because it is a composite of atoms, rather than subatomic particles, and also by it being an ion. Electrons cannot "bind" in the proper sense of the word, because they occupy atomic orbitals defined by the element itself. The fascinating part is that the "atomic" orbitals of positronium can overlap atomic orbitals of other elements, leading to the creation of molecular orbitals with distinctive bonding and antibonding patterns characteristic of non exotic molecules. the fact that positronium has atomic orbital structure, and that it can undergo UV excitation like most atoms, makes it a good candidate for calling an exotic element, or something similar.))

[GreatWyrmGold]

((Elements aren't just anything that can bind with atoms to make molecules, was my point.))

[Samarkand]

((Elements aren't just anything that can bind with atoms to make molecules, was my point.))

((That's true, and the current IUPAC definition would not include Ps. However, Ps has a very rich chemistry that is analogous to most elements, and is entirely analogous to a hydrogen radical H^.. It's only because most definitions explicitly say protons that it would not normally be counted.))

[GreatWyrmGold]

Having trouble finding ouit what H^. is. Still, the current definition of element works perfectly well for describing what "element" is supposed to describe...especially since even ununhexium is more stable than positronium. (I think.)

[Remuthra]

You can't really expect a matter-antimatter compound to be even remotely stable, to be fair.

[Samarkand]

Having trouble finding ouit what H^. is. Still, the current definition of element works perfectly well for describing what "element" is supposed to describe...especially since even ununhexium is more stable than positronium. (I think.)

((Atomic (radical) hydrogen. And you're correct about stabilities. Nonetheless, I am not the only person to think that Ps is properly an element. "...in it's rightful place"))

Spoiler: Image from Fisica Con Molti Positroni (click to show/hide)

[GreatWyrmGold]

You can't really expect a matter-antimatter compound to be even remotely stable, to be fair.

Is it unfair to not let a man in a wheelchair play soccer? I'm not being discriminatory against positronium; it just can't live up to the standards of typical elements.

Having trouble finding ouit what H^. is. Still, the current definition of element works perfectly well for describing what "element" is supposed to describe...especially since even ununhexium is more stable than positronium. (I think.)

((Atomic (radical) hydrogen. And you're correct about stabilities. Nonetheless, I am not the only person to think that Ps is properly an element. "...in it's rightful place"))

Spoiler: Image from Fisica Con Molti Positroni (click to show/hide)

"The lanthanides and actinides are not shown, nor are those atoms that do not have a stable nuclide (except for technetium, Tc)."
I don't think positronium belongs on this chart, even by "positronium is Element Zero" advocates' standards.

[Remuthra]

You can't really expect a matter-antimatter compound to be even remotely stable, to be fair.

Is it unfair to not let a man in a wheelchair play soccer? I'm not being discriminatory against positronium; it just can't live up to the standards of typical elements.

No, but pointing out the man can't walk isn't necessary. It's sort of assumed.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Pointing out he can't walk would be equivalent to me telling sentient positronium it's not an element. Saying that positronium isn't an element is keeping the paraplegic off the soccer team.

[Remuthra]

You're mixing up the metaphors. I'm saying that remarking on the incredibly unstable nature of positronium is not necessary. Its nature means that is obvious.

[Samarkand]

You're mixing up the metaphors. I'm saying that remarking on the incredibly unstable nature of positronium is not necessary. Its nature means that is obvious.

Or maybe you're both of you mixing metaphors and literalisms, creating metaphorium, which undoubtedly has a short half-life (though whether I should make that statement is indeed in question). I predict the annihilation of this line of inquiry will occur within 3 posts.