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