At present we are aware about 118 elements. Out of these 118 elements, first 92 elements i.e. the elements up to uranium are found in nature. This means that elements from Hydrogen (having atomic number 1) to Uranium (having atomic number 92) are naturally occurring elements. While the elements which come after uranium, i.e. the elements which have more atomic number (Z > 92) as compared to uranium have been prepared in laboratory by artificial transmutation. Such elements which have higher atomic number as compared to uranium are called transuranium elements or alternatively we can say that the elements which come after uranium in the periodic table are called transuranium elements. For example, neptunium, plutonium, americium etc. have atomic number more than uranium so all of these elements are called transuranium elements.
Test Your Understanding and Answer These Questions:
- What are transuranium elements?
- Name some naturally occurring elements.