Understanding heavy metals

Open lecture with Prof Pekka Pyykkö, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Description

The chemical and physical properties of the 6th-Period elements (Cs-Rn) show a number of anomalies that were understood during the recent decades by using relativistic quantum mechanics (the Dirac equation for an electron). The high nuclear charges accelerate the electrons near them close to the speed of light, and this even influences the valence region. Einstein meets Mendeleev. Many of these changes correspond to everyday phenomena: Why is gold yellow and noble, why does the lead-acid battery work, why is mercury a liquid etc. New examples keep appearing.

Pekka Pyykkö was born in Hinnerjoki, Finland in 1941, and received his education in the nearby city of Turku (Åbo), with a PhD in 1967. His two latest employers were Åbo Akademi University in 1974—1984, and the University of Helsinki in 1984—2009. Since November 2009 he continues research in Helsinki as Professor Emeritus. He now has over 300 papers. In 1993—1998 he led the program Relativistic Effects in Heavy-Element Chemistry and Physics (REHE) of the European Science Foundation (ESF), and in 2006—2008 the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Computational Molecular Science (CMS). In addition to his own research, he currently chairs two Academies (Finska Vetenskaps-Societeten and the IAQMS) and one Editorial Board (PCCP.

The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.