Four new elements, discovered in recent years, have now been named, pending final approval. IUPAC, The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, allows the people who discover elements to name them, provided they name the elements in one of the following categories: mythological concepts, minerals, a place or country, a property or a scientist.
Nihonium and symbol Nh, for the element 113: Nihon is Japanese for Japan, the place where the it was discovered. This is the first element discovered and named after an Asian country.
Moscovium and symbol Mc, for the element 115 is for Moscow, the home of the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research.
Tennessine and symbol Ts, for the element 117 is for Tennessee, in recognition of this region’s contribution to superheavy element research.
Oganesson and symbol Og, for the element 118 is for Russian nuclear physicist Yuri Oganessian.
The new names are now being reviewed by the public and formal approval by the IUPAC Council will be announced in early November.