Lawrencium (Lr): what kind of element is it?

In short

A machine’s inventor

Lawrencium was discovered in 1961 and named after the American physicist Lawrence, who invented the cyclotron in the 1930s.

Using the cyclotron, technetium, the first element synthesized by people, was made in 1937.

Where it sits on the table

The fifteen elements from actinium to lawrencium are called the actinoids. On the Room of the Elements table they are in the lower of the two rows set apart at the bottom.

After lawrencium, from element 104 onward, the elements return to the main table, from Group 4 of the seventh row to the right.

Think about it

• Q1What do you think of naming an element after the inventor of a machine that makes new elements?
• Q2What do you think the “cyclo” in cyclotron means?
• Q3Can you name the first and last actinoids?

There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.