The Elements
Mar 31, 2015
The Elements
Hydrogen H
Most abundant element, more than 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms
Reacts with nitrogen to produce ammonia
Combustible, it reacts with oxygen exothermically
A diatomic molecule
Fuel used in the Hindenburg blimp
Helium He
Not chemically reactive – doesn’t form molecules
Discovered in the sun
Found underground and extracted from natural gases
Used in blimps and party balloons
Used as a stabilizer when moving volatile fuels
Not flammable
Lithium Li
Lithium carbonate (Lithobid) is used to treat manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder
Used in lithium batteries used in portable consumer electronic devices
Lightest of all metals
Carbon C Name comes from coal
Three isotopes C-12 C-13 and C-14
10 million + organic compounds described today
High heat and pressure: graphite, diamond
Bucky ball C-60, a recently discovered form of carbon important in nanotechnology
In carbonates in rocks and carbon dioxide in the air
Nitrogen N
Haber-Bosch process uses nitrogen and hydrogen to make ammonia (for fertilizer and for explosives)
Occurs in amino acids and nucleotides
Comprises 78% of the air
Chemically very unreactive
A diatomic molecule
Oxygen O
It is diatomic molecule
It comprises 21% of the air
It is very reactive with many substances
It oxidizes many metals
Supports the combustion of hydrocarbons
Fluorine F
Extracted from fluorite – the state mineral of Illinois
Named from the word fluere (flow)
Used in refrigerants
Poisonous
Highly reactive
Diatomic molecule
Neon Ne
Noble gas
Can be ionized to produce orange glow (neon lights)
Sodium Na
Soft malleable silver white metal
Occurs in salt
Called “soda” by the English
Used in medicine and agriculture
Reacts vigorously with water
under mineral oil
Magnesium Mg It plays a role in many biochemical reactions Occurs in medicines and fertilizers Whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables
are good sources of magnesium Fireworks: burns with bright, white light
Aluminum Al Possible connection with
Alzheimer's
Very high reflectivity
Low density malleable metal
Used in many alloys
Used in cookware, cans, foil
Silicon Si
It is used in electronic technology (silicon chips)
Used to make silly putty
Important component of glass
Common in the Earth’s crust;
Combines with oxygen to form silicates (granite -> sand)
Component of glass
Phosphorus P Glows in the dark, named from Greek:
phosphoros - bringer of light Two common forms: white and red Discovered by an alchemist: Henning Brand Essential to life Derived from apatite minerals Very cool chemical used for fertilizer, safety
matches, pyrotechnics, pesticides.
Sulfur S Yellow
Hydrogen sulfide is a common gaseous compound that stinks
Very important compound is sulfuric acid
In a couple of the amino acids that form proteins
Used in fungicides
Chlorine Cl
Chloros – pale green
Diatomic molecule
Irritating odor (like bleach)
Powerful oxidant – used for sanitation
Found in salt: sodium chloride
Very reactive (combines with lots of other elements)
World war I – mustard gas
Potassium K
Essential nutrient, found in bananas
Electrolyte in the body (sodium / potassium balance)
Used in salt substitute
It is an alkali metal (first group or family)
Calcium Ca
Soft grey alkaline earth metal
Calcium is an essential part of our biochemistry
Calcium is part of the mineral apatite (Calcium Phosphate) that makes up bone
Chromium Cr
Comes from a greek work chroma meaning color
Has many different oxidation states and forms many different beautifully colored compounds
It is grey but it makes rubies red
Chromium is used in chrome (alloy), doesn’t tarnish
Manganese Mn
Used in iron and steel production
A component of stainless steel
A cofactor in some enzymes
Human body contains about 10 mg of manganese
Commonly used in batteries, matches, fireworks, glazes, fungicides and varnishes
Iron Fe
Occurs in the core of our planet and in meteors Forms in stars from nuclear fusion Iron metal is extracted from iron ores
(hematite) Iron is in our blood: hemoglobin Can be magnetized
Cobalt Co
Discovered in blue glass Recovered in mining copper and silver Used in alloys, used in joint replacements Cobalt-60 used in radioactive tracers Used in alloys for artificial body parts
Nickel Ni Name comes from German word meaning Old
Nick’s (false) copper Used in alloys Ni/Cd batteries Corrosion resistant In powerful alnico magnets In chocolate (trace amounts) Some people are allergic to nickel and suffer
contact dermatitis
Copper Cu Copper comes from cuprum (island of cypress)
Pennies were once made from solid copper but since 1982 they are mostly zinc
Natural antibacterial substance
Tools made from copper don’t cause sparks
Resists corrosion
Ancient (pyramids) copper piping found
Copper is added to gold to harden it
Found in octopus and squid blood
Zinc Zn
The world has lots of zinc in rock and soil, and everywhere else
2-3 grams in an adult Vital for growth and cell division (and fertility) It is claimed that zinc can reduce the severity of
colds Zinc oxide protects
from uv rays
Arsenic As
Discovered in the 8th century
Found in a mineral
By the 19th century it had been named “inheritance powder” to hasten the death of someone with money or power
Victorian era mixed with vinegar and chalk to cause a lighter (non field worker)complexion
Bromine Br
It belongs to the halogen family Red color Discovered in 1826 Came from bromos meaning stench Poisonous In sea water Diatomic molecule
Silver Ag
Soft white transition metal Used in its pure form (native metal) Precious metal used in jewelry Used in electrical contacts and as a catalyst Compounds used in photographic film
Tin Sn
Old name stannum (symbol Sn) Turns to powder below
13 degrees C The word tin comes from anglo-saxon Used in bronze Tin resists corrosion (caused by salty water) One of the earliest metals Used as a coating of steel pans,
hardens copper Stannous fluoride used in toothpaste Tin cans, tin foil Tin powder is highly explosive
Iodine I
Needed for thyroid function Added to salt Used as an antiseptic Diatomic molecule
Barium Ba
Alkaline Earth Metal (2nd column) Soft, silvery white Oxidizes easily Decomposed by water Glass making, fire works, enemas
Gold Au
Historically has been used for money and jewelry.
Good conductor of heat and electricity. Does not rust Most malleable of all metals Dissolves in mercury
Mercury Hg
TOXIC! Liquid metal Was called quicksilver More toxic when ionized into salt Builds up in body over time Was used in curing felt for hats Used in thermometers Used in amalgam fillings for teeth
Lead Pb
Pb – Greek term for plombum, meaning plumbing. Plumbing pipes made from lead
High density – used to shield from x-rays Used in batteries Very malleable, soft Poisonous
Uranium U
Radioactive Used in nuclear weapons Used in the “atom” bomb Silvery gray metal Ore is mined for U-232