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10-year-old Clara Lazen created a new molecule, tetranitratoxic carbon, during a science assignment at her elementary school in Kansas City. Experts confirmed it could exist and be useful as an explosive or for storing energy. The molecule is made up of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon and has a molecular structure similar to nitroglycerin. New molecules are frequently discovered or created for various purposes, such as killing cancer cells or treating HIV.
Some say 10-year-old Clara Lazen was randomly arranging the sticks and balls of a molecule-building toy during a science assignment at her elementary school in Kansas City, Missouri. Clare disagrees. The design of her unique new molecule, which was later called tetranitratoxic carbon, was deliberate, she said. The pieces “fit together more,” she explained, “and look better. All holes need to be filled for it to be stable.” Either way, experts have confirmed that Clara’s creation is a chemical that could theoretically exist but has never been seen before. If a lab can synthesize Clara’s new molecule, it could be useful as an explosive or it could be used to store energy.
A new family of atoms:
Tetranitratoxic carbon is made up of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. Its molecular structure is similar to that of nitroglycerin.
The Oxford Dictionary states that a molecule “is a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound which can take part in a chemical reaction”.
New molecules are often discovered or created. In recent years, molecules have been developed to kill cancer cells, fight infertility and treat people with HIV.
