Periodic Table of
the Elements
Select an element
(
= Internet link )
Name: Hydrogen
Symbol: H
Atomic Number: 1
Facts: The most abundant element in the universe, but
relatively less abundant on Earth
It is colorless, odorless, and combustible - the space
shuttle main engine runs on hydrogen, Hindenburg was
filled with hydrogen, and fuel cells for cars
Liquid Hydrogen is used for cryogenics
Name: Helium
Symbol: He
Atomic Number: 2
Facts: Liquid helium can reach 2 degrees Kelvin
Colorless, odorless, non-toxic, inert
Much less dense than air, making it good for balloons, and
making funny voices
One quarter of the universe is made of helium atoms
Called helium because it was first noticed as a yellow
circle around a solar eclipse, helios = sun
Name: Lithium
Symbol: Li
Atomic Number: 3
Facts: Lightest of metals with half the density of
water
Lithium can be used to store energy (in batteries)
It is not found in elemental form, only little bits in
some rocks, reacts with water, and is flammable
Used in thermo-nuclear weapons, alloys, glass,
and ceramics
Name: Beryllium
Symbol: Be
Atomic Number: 4
Facts: Steel grey, lightweight, very elastic
Toxic - Tastes Sweet
Used for electrical contacts, spot welding, circuits,
computer parts, structural parts of space shuttles,
and as a reflector or moderator in nuclear reactions
Name: Boron
Symbol: B
Atomic Number: 5
Facts: Boron is a black semi-metal, lightweight,
fiber-optic properties
Some compounds of Boron are toxic
Boron compounds are being evaluated for treating
arthritis, it is also used as a heavy duty cleaner, and
as a way to block nuclear radiation
Name: Carbon
Symbol: C
Atomic Number: 6
Facts: Main component of graphite, diamonds, and
people (carbon based life forms)
Applications of Carbon are limitless – part of all life
forms, gemstone, crucible for melting metals, rust
protection, industrial lubrication, a moderator for slowing
neutrons in atomic fission, and removing tastes and odors
Name: Nitrogen
Symbol: N
Atomic Number: 7
Facts: Nitrogen gas makes up about 78% of the volume of
earth’s atmosphere – responsible for the colors of the
aurora
Used in foods, fertilizers, poisons and explosives.
It is inert, but when combined in a molecule or compound
with other elements it can become useful and/or
destructive
Name: Oxygen
Symbol: O
Atomic Number: 8
Facts: Typically occurs as a gas that is tasteless,
odorless, and colorless
Oxygen supports combustion, combines with most
elements, and is a component of hundreds of
thousands of organic compounds.
Approximately two thirds of the human body and nine
tenths of the mass of water is oxygen.
The ozone is made of O3 molecules which can be
broken apart by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s).
Name: Fluorine
Symbol: F
Atomic Number: 9
Facts: A pale-yellow, highly corrosive, poisonous,
gaseous halogen element, the most electronegative and
most reactive of all the elements, used in a wide variety of
industrially important compounds. The most common
uses of Fluorine are in the production of uranium,air
conditioning, refrigeration, insecticides, toothpaste, added
to water supplies and teflon.
Name: Neon
Symbol: Ne
Atomic Number: 10
Facts: Neon is typically found as a gas, but Neon
plasma glows reddish orange.
Neon is used to make neon signs.
Neon and helium are used to make gas lasers. Neon
is used in lightning arrestors, television tubes, highvoltage indicators, and wave meter tubes.
Name: Sodium
Symbol: Na
Atomic Number: 11
Facts: very reactive with water
Silver-metallic metal that quickly turns white when
exposed to air.
NaCl = Salt
NaOH = Lye (strong cleaner)
Name: Magnesium
Symbol: Mg
Atomic Number: 12
Facts: Strong, light, affordable, very flammable
Magnesium burns very hot
Used as a powder for early photographs
Used in car parts, bikes, and airplanes (sometimes
associated with why some racecars burn more
readily)
Often used in alloys, commonly with aluminum
Name: Aluminum
Symbol: Al
Atomic Number: 13
Facts: Very light, strong, and cheap
Does not rust… well, it does react with air even
more than iron, but it’s “rust” is a tough, transparent
oxide known as corundum which is one of the
hardest substances known
Powdered aluminum is used in flash powder and
rocket fuel mixtures
Used in cars, aircraft, kitchens, prosthetics, and many
other uses.
Name: Silicon
Symbol: Si
Atomic Number: 14
Facts: similar to carbon - leading to speculation
about silicon based life forms
The stuff of beach sand and computer chips
Crystal structure can be microscopically etched to
carry information
Common in rock forms, very abundant
Name: Phosphorus
Symbol: P
Atomic Number: 15
It glows, and is very flammable (the stuff on
match heads)
Used in warfare in mortar shells
In form of phosphates, it is vital to plants and
humans - depletion of this has caused mass
starvations throughout history
Name: Sulfur
Symbol: S
Atomic Number: 16
Facts: Stinky!!!
Historic name for sulfur is brimstone
Commonly in the mix of mined petroleum, and part
of smog
Sulfuric acid is a very common and important
industrial acid
It is fairly safe, used as a way to adujust soil pH,
and an ingredient in penicillin
Name: Chlorine
Symbol: Cl
Atomic Number: 17
Facts: Greenish-yellow gas at room temperature.
Important for nerve ending conduction, and stomach
acid.
In World War I soldiers would position a line of
Chlorine gas on the front lines, wait for the wind to
shift toward the enemy, open the valves and run
away. Practice was stopped when it was discovered
that the same amount of people died on both sides.
Cheap disinfectant and cleaner of the water supply.
Name: Argon
Symbol: Ar
Atomic Number: 18
Argon is very abundant in our atmosphere, and
is very cheap.
Argon does not react with anything.
Argon and Nitrogen gas are used in light bulbs
to protect filament.
Name: Potassium
Symbol: K
Atomic Number: 19
Facts: Bananas are full of potassium
Radioactivity causes mutation in genes, and may
have caused evolution.
Reacts with water.
Potassium is critical to nerve transmission – if it
gets low, fingers start to freeze in place, and
death follows if deficiency reaches the heart.
The cure – eat bananas
Name: Calcium
Symbol: Ca
Atomic Number: 20
Facts: Pure calcium is a silvery metal like Al. It
reacts with air, falls apart and makes calcium hydroxide
and calcium carbonate – white powders.
Mammal bones are made from calcium phosphate
Calcium carbonate is the stuff in antacid tablets,
the original chalk (now calcium sulfate) and
seashells.
Very important for the action of nerves and cells,
so important that the body will dissolve bones
rather than let blood calcium levels to fall.
Name: Scandium
Symbol: Sc
Atomic Number: 21
Facts: Scandium is not really rare, but it is tough to
mine because there is no spot that has a high
concentration of the metal - Thin layer all over
Alloy made with aluminum is strongest aluminum
alloy known - used in jets, baseball bats, and bikes
The blue in Aquamarine is attributed to Scandium
Name: Titanium
Symbol: Ti
Atomic Number: 22
Facts: Very popular name, but not everything that
says titanium is made of titanium - if you put it on
the grinding wheel titanium will make blue sparks
Named after Titans, gods of Greek legend, and
stands for strength - very strong but fairly light
Non-rusting and non-allergenic - good for artificial
bones - rockets, engines, tools, razors, paint (white)
Titanium ore is abundant, but it costs a lot to refine,
so titanium itself is expensive.
Name: Vanadium
Symbol: V
Atomic Number: 23
Facts: Most used in a steel composite that is
heavier than titanium, but much harder
Used for tools, drill bits, industrial machinery
Almost always sold as a mix with iron
Green color of some emeralds comes from a
vanadium impurity
Vanadium comes from Arizona and has red
crystals
Named after Vanadis the Scandinavian goddess
for its beautiful colors
Name: Chromium
Symbol: Cr
Atomic Number: 24
Facts: Yes, chromium is what they make chrome
from - thin layers can be electroplated over just
about anything
Key ingredient in stainless steel
Makes tools shiny
The reason it is not used in place of silver - it is too
cheap to be taken seriously
Makes very rich green pigment for artists
Name: Manganese
Symbol: Mn
Atomic Number: 25
Commonly used in batteries, ceramics, steel, and
glassmaking.
It is chemically reactive and slowly decomposes in cold
water.
Not necessarily magnetic on its own, but when treated,
or mixed in a steel composite it becomes magnetic.
Essential for nutrition in trace amounts but more is toxic
Name: Iron
Symbol: Fe
Atomic Number: 26
Facts: the major component in production of steel
Latin ferrum
Iron is the least expensive, most abundant,
and most used of all metals.
Iron is very historically important – iron
age is all about humans figuring out how to
make tools and weapons from this stuff.
Iron is necessary for your body – in cereal
and many other foods – transports oxygen
in the blood.
Name: Cobalt
Symbol: Co
Atomic Number: 27
Facts: One form of cobalt is nuclear fallout
Ordinary looking metal, usually not radioactive
Cobalt steel is one of the hardest and toughest
steel alloys
Used in glass and electrical insulators
Cobalt is known for its rich blue color
Name: Nickel
Symbol: Ni
Atomic Number: 28
Facts: Yes, nickels are made of nickel (ok 25%
nickel)
Placed over iron to prevent rust
Key ingredient in nickel iron superalloys used in jet
engines
Name: Copper
Symbol: Cu
Atomic Number: 29
It is one of three metals that is yellow (gold and
cesium).
When in liquid form it commonly has a blue color.
The ability to make alloys came in the “bronze age”
Brass and bronze are primarily made from copper
Second most conductive metal, the first being
silver, but the cost of silver makes it much more
worth using copper.
Name: Zinc
Symbol: Zn
Atomic Number: 30
Facts: zinc is a fairly inexpensive metal, which is why
when the cost of copper went up, the composition of
the penny was changed to zinc with copper coating
(1983)
cheap metal that is used in parts that don’t really
need to be strong. Some of these parts are made to
intentionally erode. Zinc blocks erosion beneath
bridges too because it helps the iron to not rust.
Name: Gallium
Symbol: Ga
Atomic Number: 31
Facts: It has the largest liquid temperature ranges
of all the metals (range of 2370o). When solid it is
brittle and can break like glass. Like water it
expands when frozen (unlike almost everything
else).
Not like M&M’s® as it will melt in your hand (and
probably in your mouth, though not recommended).
Name: Germanium
Symbol: Ge
Atomic Number: 32
Facts: It is a grayish white metalloid. It is transparent
(see through) to infrared light and is used as a glass
for many camera and microscope lenses. It is not
very toxic to humans but deadly to many bacteria
which leads to it being useful medically.
Name: Arsenic
Symbol: As
Atomic Number: 33
Facts: Known for being an artist’s pigment, and rat
poison.
An organic arsenic compound is given to chickens,
with some evidence suggesting that chickens
actually need small amounts
Bad idea – use in emerald green wallpaper.
Became fashionable in the early 1900’s, but when it
got damp in the winter, arsenic escaped as a gas
from the walls making people severely sick.
Name: Selenium
Symbol: Se
Atomic Number: 34
Facts: Essential nutrient in small amounts, but too
much is toxic. Having too much or too little usually
depends on the amount in the soil where you live.
Important for photocopiers – conducts when exposed to
light and insulates in dark, so when the page is lit, the
selenium is charged and can pick up the minerals on
the ink in exact places, making it possible to copy the
image.
Selenium sulfide = dandruff shampoo
High in selenium = Brazil nuts, tuna, meats, oatmeal
Selenium helps immune system.
Name: Bromine
Symbol: Br
Atomic Number: 35
Liquid at room temperature
Because boiling point is so close to room
temperature at 59°C (139°F) it evaporates quickly
More effective disinfectant at higher temps than
chlorine – used in hot tubs
One compound is a flame retardant that is added
by law to children's pajamas
Name: Krypton
Symbol: Kr
Atomic Number: 36
Facts: A whitish gas. It is one of the noble or inert
gasses.
It is actually named after kryptos, a greek word meaning
hidden
Many fans of Superman still believe that it is named after
the fabled doomed planet…
Name: Rubidium
Symbol: Rb
Atomic Number: 37
Facts: Rubidium may be a liquid at room
temperature.
So reactive that it ignites spontaneously with
air…
It reacts violently (most violent so far) with water.
Must be stored in a vacuum, under dry mineral
oil or in a inert atmosphere.
Burns a yellowish violet color.
Rubidium means “dark red” which is the color of
it’s spectral line
Name: Strontium
Symbol: Sr
Atomic Number: 38
Strontium is used in bright luminescent paint that glows in
the dark – mixed with europium makes the most luminous
substance in the world.
Some toothpaste is made with strontium as an active
ingredient.
Some strontium compounds have been shown to increase
bone growth.
Name: Yttrium
Symbol: Y
Atomic Number: 39
Facts: Yttrium named after the quarry near ytterby
in Sweden where many rare elements were found
(also element 70 ytterbium)
Can react with air when heated.
Used in glass to increase shock resistance and
lower the effect of thermal expansion.
Name: Zirconium
Symbol: Zr
Atomic Number: 40
Facts: very hard metal that can take the intense
environment inside a nuclear reactor core.
Used in wheels for welding, and on some of the
huge earth boring machines
It is used to make cubic zirconia, called Zirconium
dioxide to scientists. CZ simulate diamonds, and
some are actually identified because they are too
bright with too much “fire” and no imperfections,
unlike diamonds – but they are cheap, so we don’t
like them
Name: Niobium
Symbol: Nb
Atomic Number: 41
Atomic Mass: 92.90638 amu
Melting Point: 2468.0 °C (2741.15 °K, 4474.4 °F)
Boiling Point: 4927.0 °C (5200.15 °K, 8900.6 °F)
Name: Molybdenum
Symbol: Mo
Atomic Number: 42
Atomic Mass: 95.94 amu
Melting Point: 2617.0 °C (2890.15 °K, 4742.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 4612.0 °C (4885.15 °K, 8333.6 °F)
Name: Technetium
Symbol: Tc
Atomic Number: 43
Facts: It is a bizarre anomaly, in the middle of many
stable elements, a radioactive element that had to
be created in a lab exists.
Was the first man-made element – which is why it
has the name technetium.
Some naturally occuring was found in a uranium
oxide in Africa (very small amount).
It is used as an injection to seek bone and uncover
any irregular bone growth, which they can take
pictures of with a gamma ray camera.
Name: Ruthenium
Symbol: Ru
Atomic Number: 44
Atomic Mass: 101.07 amu
Melting Point: 2250.0 °C (2523.15 °K, 4082.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 3900.0 °C (4173.15 °K, 7052.0 °F)
Name: Rhodium
Symbol: Rh
Atomic Number: 45
Atomic Mass: 102.9055 amu
Melting Point: 1966.0 °C (2239.15 °K, 3570.8 °F)
Boiling Point: 3727.0 °C (4000.15 °K, 6740.6 °F)
Name: Palladium
Symbol: Pd
Atomic Number: 46
Atomic Mass: 106.42 amu
Melting Point: 1552.0 °C (1825.15 °K, 2825.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 2927.0 °C (3200.15 °K, 5300.6 °F)
Name: Silver
Symbol: Ag
Atomic Number: 47
Facts: Ag from Latin - Argentum
Same column as gold, and is often associated with
riches as gold is, but can range from 1/20 to 1/100
the price.
Best electrical conductor and the most reflective of all
metals.
Silver is used to make incredibly reflective mirrors,
usually used in scientific applications where beams
of light need to be kept in perfect alignment.
Name: Cadmium
Symbol: Cd
Atomic Number: 48
Atomic Mass: 112.411 amu
Melting Point: 320.9 °C (594.05 °K, 609.62 °F)
Boiling Point: 765.0 °C (1038.15 °K, 1409.0 °F)
Name: Indium
Symbol: In
Atomic Number: 49
Atomic Mass: 114.818 amu
Melting Point: 156.61 °C (429.76 °K, 313.898 °F)
Boiling Point: 2000.0 °C (2273.15 °K, 3632.0 °F)
Name: Tin
Symbol: Sn
Atomic Number: 50
Facts: Sn from Latin - Stannum
non-toxic, stays shiny forever, not too expensive,
and can be cast into many shapes.
Many things called tin are not, and never were
made from tin. Tin soldiers, tin cans, tin foil,tin roofs
to name a few.
Tin is non-magnetic, so test it out.
In really cold conditions tin can break down into a
fine grey powder, which is still pure tin - diff. form
Led to the fall of the Napoleon’s Army.
Name: Antimony
Symbol: Sb
Atomic Number: 51
Atomic Mass: 121.76 amu
Melting Point: 630.0 °C (903.15 °K, 1166.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 1750.0 °C (2023.15 °K, 3182.0 °F)
Name: Tellurium
Symbol: Te
Atomic Number: 52
Atomic Mass: 127.6 amu
Melting Point: 449.5 °C (722.65 °K, 841.1 °F)
Boiling Point: 989.8 °C (1262.95 °K, 1813.64 °F)
Name: Iodine
Symbol: I
Atomic Number: 53
Facts: Can cure hoof fungus in horses
Solid at room temp, but very close so melting
point – at which it melts and quickly truns into a
thick violet vapor.
Was used as a disinfectant with alcohol
Used in dyes, salt, and photography
The human body needs Iodine for the thyroid gland,
which helps metabolism, keeps people warm, breaks
down fat, helps healthy skin and hair, and is
important for health and development of children
Name: Xenon
Symbol: Xe
Atomic Number: 54
Atomic Mass: 131.29 amu
Melting Point: -111.9 °C (161.25 °K, -169.42 °F)
Boiling Point: -108.1 °C (165.05 °K, -162.58 °F)
Name: Cesium
Symbol: Cs
Atomic Number: 55
Atomic Mass: 132.90546 amu
Melting Point: 28.5 °C (301.65 °K, 83.3 °F)
Boiling Point: 678.4 °C (951.55005 °K, 1253.12 °F)
Name: Barium
Symbol: Ba
Atomic Number: 56
Facts: Barium sulfate is used in oil well drilling for
it’s density because the rocks will float up out of
the way of the drill.
Barium reacts with air, and because of that it is
used to finish the vacuum seals for things you
need a vacuum for – it reacts with any left over
air, changing the air and keeping the vacuum.
Smooth pebble-like stones of mineral barite found in
Bologna, Italy were known as "Bologna stones". The
fact that after exposed to light, they would glow for
years, attracted witches and alchemists to them
Name: Lanthanum
Symbol: La
Atomic Number: 57
Atomic Mass: 138.9055 amu
Melting Point: 920.0 °C (1193.15 °K, 1688.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 3469.0 °C (3742.15 °K, 6276.2 °F)
Name: Cerium
Symbol: Ce
Atomic Number: 58
Facts: Cerium is the metal that is used as a flint.
When you strike cerium against something abrasive,
it will light up with hot sparks, this makes it easy to
start a fire.
Used in special effects for more interesting
explosions - relatively controllable.
Used in catalytic converters in motor vehicles to
reduce CO2
Cerium fires are toxic, and putting water on them makes
them explode because it produces hydrogen gas.
Name: Praseodymium
Symbol: Pr
Atomic Number: 59
Atomic Mass: 140.90765 amu
Melting Point: 935.0 °C (1208.15 °K, 1715.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 3127.0 °C (3400.15 °K, 5660.6 °F)
Name: Neodymium
Symbol: Nd
Atomic Number: 60
Atomic Mass: 144.24 amu
Melting Point: 1010.0 °C (1283.15 °K, 1850.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 3127.0 °C (3400.15 °K, 5660.6 °F)
Name: Promethium
Symbol: Pm
Atomic Number: 61
Atomic Mass: (145.0) amu
Melting Point: Unknown
Boiling Point: Unknown
Name: Samarium
Symbol: Sm
Atomic Number: 62
Atomic Mass: 150.36 amu
Melting Point: 1072.0 °C (1345.15 °K, 1961.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 1900.0 °C (2173.15 °K, 3452.0 °F)
Name: Europium
Symbol: Eu
Atomic Number: 63
Atomic Mass: 151.964 amu
Melting Point: 822.0 °C (1095.15 °K, 1511.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 1597.0 °C (1870.15 °K, 2906.6 °F)
Name: Gadolinium
Symbol: Gd
Atomic Number: 64
Atomic Mass: 157.25 amu
Melting Point: 1311.0 °C (1584.15 °K, 2391.8 °F)
Boiling Point: 3233.0 °C (3506.15 °K, 5851.4 °F)
Name: Terbium
Symbol: Tb
Atomic Number: 65
Atomic Mass: 158.92534 amu
Melting Point: 1360.0 °C (1633.15 °K, 2480.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 3041.0 °C (3314.15 °K, 5505.8 °F)
Name: Dysprosium
Symbol: Dy
Atomic Number: 66
Atomic Mass: 162.5 amu
Melting Point: 1412.0 °C (1685.15 °K, 2573.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 2562.0 °C (2835.15 °K, 4643.6 °F)
Name: Holmium
Symbol: Ho
Atomic Number: 67
Atomic Mass: 164.93031 amu
Melting Point: 1470.0 °C (1743.15 °K, 2678.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 2720.0 °C (2993.15 °K, 4928.0 °F)
Name: Erbium
Symbol: Er
Atomic Number: 68
Atomic Mass: 167.26 amu
Melting Point: 1522.0 °C (1795.15 °K, 2771.6 °F)
Boiling Point: 2510.0 °C (2783.15 °K, 4550.0 °F)
Name: Thulium
Symbol: Tm
Atomic Number: 69
Atomic Mass: 168.9342 amu
Melting Point: 1545.0 °C (1818.15 °K, 2813.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 1727.0 °C (2000.15 °K, 3140.6 °F)
Name: Ytterbium
Symbol: Yb
Atomic Number: 70
Atomic Mass: 173.04 amu
Melting Point: 824.0 °C (1097.15 °K, 1515.2 °F)
Boiling Point: 1466.0 °C (1739.15 °K, 2670.8 °F)
Name: Lutetium
Symbol: Lu
Atomic Number: 71
Atomic Mass: 174.967 amu
Melting Point: 1656.0 °C (1929.15 °K, 3012.8 °F)
Boiling Point: 3315.0 °C (3588.15 °K, 5999.0 °F)
Name: Hafnium
Symbol: Hf
Atomic Number: 72
Atomic Mass: 178.49 amu
Melting Point: 2150.0 °C (2423.15 °K, 3902.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 5400.0 °C (5673.15 °K, 9752.0 °F)
Name: Tantalum
Symbol: Ta
Atomic Number: 73
Atomic Mass: 180.9479 amu
Melting Point: 2996.0 °C (3269.15 °K, 5424.8 °F)
Boiling Point: 5425.0 °C (5698.15 °K, 9797.0 °F)
Name: Tungsten
Symbol: W
Atomic Number: 74
Facts: W from Wolframite named after Peter Wolfe
who studied it.
Used in incandescent light bulbs as filament. Wire
is electronically heated until it glows yellow hotvery inefficient design that wastes 90% of the
energy. Tungsten is fairly inexpensive and the
strongest metal at high temperatures.
Great for use in cutting tools. It is more fracture
resistant than diamond and much harder than steel.
One of the more dense metals, but low price makes
it commonly used when you want a lot of weight in
a small area.
Name: Rhenium
Symbol: Re
Atomic Number: 75
Atomic Mass: 186.207 amu
Melting Point: 3180.0 °C (3453.15 °K, 5756.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 5627.0 °C (5900.15 °K, 10160.6 °F)
Name: Osmium
Symbol: Os
Atomic Number: 76
Atomic Mass: 190.23 amu
Melting Point: 3045.0 °C (3318.15 °K, 5513.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 5027.0 °C (5300.15 °K, 9080.6 °F)
Name: Iridium
Symbol: Ir
Atomic Number: 77
Atomic Mass: 192.217 amu
Melting Point: 2410.0 °C (2683.15 °K, 4370.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 4527.0 °C (4800.15 °K, 8180.6 °F)
Name: Platinum
Symbol: Pt
Atomic Number: 78
Facts: A platinum credit card is way better than a
gold credit card. I don’t even have gold ones…
More abundant in the earth’s crust than other
group members, but significantly more expensive
because of high demand.
Can take high temperatures and powerful acids,
making it good for laboratory equipment.
Catalyses reactions in refining oil, and is used in
long lasting spark plugs.
A particular cylindar of platinum in Paris defines
the mass of 1 kilogram.
Name: Gold
Symbol: Au
Atomic Number: 79
Facts: Au from Latin - Aurum
Gold is a yellow metal that does not corrode - a simple
dusting can make kings Tut’s golden mask as shiny as
the day it was made.
Good conductor of electricity that does not tarnish
There are not enough gold bars in the world to return to
the “gold standard” of currency - there is only about 60
cubic feet of gold in the world.
Gold can be stretched thinner than any other metal,
making gold leaf (500 atoms thick, used in Rutherford
experiment.)
Name: Mercury
Symbol: Hg
Atomic Number: 80
Facts: Hg from Hydrargyrum meaning silver liquid
Metal that is liquid at room temperature
Mercury drips from the walls in an ancient mine in
Spain.
It is very dense, even lead can float in it, and so
can people.
It is highly toxic, causing central nervous system
damage, leading to madness.
The “mad hatter” in Alice in Wonderland was said
to have had mercury poisoning from his constant
exposure in the process of curing hats.
Name: Thallium
Symbol: Tl
Atomic Number: 81
Atomic Mass: 204.3833 amu
Melting Point: 303.5 °C (576.65 °K, 578.3 °F)
Boiling Point: 1457.0 °C (1730.15 °K, 2654.6 °F)
Name: Lead
Symbol: Pb
Atomic Number: 82
Facts: Pb from Latin - plumbum
People think of lead as dense, but it is only half as
dense as osmium and iridium, the two densest metals.
Often used in bullets because it is hard enough to
cause damage, but soft enough to not damage the gun
Lead has a low melting point – can melt on wood fire
Common use for lead was the lead pipe, which have
been in Rome for 2,000 years.
Lead is toxic and can cause neurological problems,
eventually causing insanity – some credit the fall of the
Roman empire to the leaders drinking lead pipe water.
Name: Bismuth
Symbol: Bi
Atomic Number: 83
Facts: Bismuth is the last of the stable elements –
has the highest number of protons of any stable
element.
It is the active ingredient in pepto-bismol.
Despite the fact that bismuth is surrounded by toxic
elements on the periodic table, it is non-toxic, but it
will turn your gums black if you have too many
bismuth salts.
Forms shiny crystals that catch and refract the light,
making it very nice to look at.
92
U
Uranium
Name: Uranium
Symbol: U
Atomic Number: 92
Facts: Uranium bomb was the first of two atomic
weapons ever used on people (as result of what
is called the Manhattan project)
Naturally occurring Uranium consists of two
isotopes, one that is good for bombs, the other is
a hard metal.
The hard metal is often used in missiles because
it tends to catch fire on contact.
Uranium is a toxic heavy metal
Was used to make glasses and dishware before
1942… This was a very bad idea.