Final answer:
Transuranium elements are those with atomic numbers greater than uranium (92) and are created in labs through nuclear reactions. They're essential for expanding our knowledge of the periodic table and have applications in various scientific fields. As of now, 22 have been produced and are recognized, with others pending approval.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special Characteristics of Transuranium Elements
The elements with atomic numbers greater than 92, which is the atomic number of uranium, are collectively referred to as transuranium elements. These elements do not occur naturally and can only be created in the laboratory. They are significant because they extend our understanding of the elements and the periodic table.
The production of these elements often involves nuclear reactions, such as bombarding uranium with neutrons or fusion of lighter elements. An exciting aspect of these elements is the 'island of stability', which suggests that certain superheavy elements may have relatively longer half-lives. This concept emerged from the synthesis of elements like 114 and 116, which were created using heavy ion collisions. Furthermore, the transuranium elements have contributed to scientific research in various fields including nuclear physics and chemistry.
Most transuranium elements have highly unstable nuclei which decay rapidly, making them challenging to study. As of now, 22 of these elements have been produced and officially recognized, while others await confirmation. They shed light on the theoretical models of the atomic nucleus and may have potential applications in medicine and industry, despite their instability and radioactivity.