7. Made in Lab, Fleeting Element May Join Periodic Table

Kenneth Chang writes about a new element that was discovered a decade ago, which might soon be joining the periodic table. He explains that scientists would only allow the element’s entry into the periodic table after a second successful attempt at the experiment is done at a different laboratory. Chang comments that now the entry of the new element is being considered since Lund University has done so, adding that a member of the experiment confirmation team said, “It’s always better when someone else does it.” An explanation of the experiment’s process is then described, including that the element actually lasts for less than a second as it decays. Pieces of debris and an X-ray fingerprint are the only evidence from what scientists deduce the element’s existence. Nonetheless, if its existence is totally confirmed, the discoverers would be given the honor of naming it.

The author is effective in parts of his writing, but fails to make a statement in others. He uses anacoluthon, simile and quotes throughout his writing. All of these aid in establishing a nice flow and pattern to the writing, making it more interesting to read. The quotes used give more reliability to the essay, because they are from important people involved with the new element. Quotes show that the author’s ideas are backed up by supporting evidence. Chang also does a good job in explaining the point he makes in the first paragraph. The element might enter the periodic table, but since it only exists for less than a second, we might not see it soon. The concluding paragraph, though, is not entirely related to the main idea, confusing the reader. The rest of the essay is explaining the element’s possible entry into the periodic table, while the last paragraph mentions how superheavy atoms “help scientists better understand the basic forces that hold matter together.” Throughout the essay, Chang also makes other unnecessary comments that are not entirely related, distracting the reader. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/science/made-in-lab-fleeting-element-may-join-periodic-table.html?_r=0