• Question: if you found a new atom what would you call it and why

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      Asked by Dr David cameron to Ruth, Rob, Luke, Laura, John on 10 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Robert Williams

        Robert Williams answered on 10 Jun 2016:

        Hawkingium – though not possible at the moment as the person named after it would have to be deceased

      • Photo: Laura Finney

        Laura Finney answered on 10 Jun 2016:

        That’s very hard! I think it would depend where I was at the time but maybe if I had kids I would dedicate it to them and call it after my child.

      • Photo: Ruth Patchett

        Ruth Patchett answered on 11 Jun 2016:

        I am pretty happy as Ruthenium is already the name of an atom! I guess I would try and name it after something memorable and logical as I do get fed up having to learn a lot of names with no logic behind them.

      • Photo: John Fossey

        John Fossey answered on 11 Jun 2016:

        Definitely not “Midi-chlorian”(ium)

        If it was a blue crystal how about: Walterwhitium ?

      • Photo: Luke Williams

        Luke Williams answered on 12 Jun 2016:

        Unobtainium has my vote!

        Slightly more seriously, I would probably look to something from mythology or history to use. Perhaps something from the Egyptian or Japanese mythologies, as they are my favourite at the moment.

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