ELEMENT OF THE DAY http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html

HYDROGEN Extremely flammable Found mainly in stars for fusion (H ---> He) Used to be in airships (blimps) Now used for fuel cells to generate electricity http://www.webelements.com/hydrogen/ Symbol: H Atomic #: 1 Atomic mass: 1.0079 Nonmetal Colorless Gas Discovered in 1766 Most abundant element in the universe

HELIUM Symbol: He Atomic #: 2 Atomic mass: 4 Nonmetal Colorless gas Group 18 (Noble Gases), Period 1 Discovered in 1895 Extracted from natural gas Used in weather balloons, party balloons and airships http://www.webelements.com/helium/

LITHIUM Symbol: Li Uses: *Lithium-ion batteries Atomic #: 3 *Grease for cars, trucks, Atomic mass: 6.94 mechanics Metal Group #1=Alkali Metal Group *Treatment for bi-polar Gray / silver solid disorder Floats on water (very low density) Discovered in 1817

BERYLLIUM—Be Atomic #: 4 Atomic Mass: 9.0122 Discovered in 1797 Solid, silvery colored metal Alkaline Earth metal Very light and soft Excellent conductor of electricity Used in the manufacturing of airplanes, missiles, and rocket parts Golf club heads are made of Beryllium-copper Emeralds and Aquamarines come from Beryl

BORON Symbol: B Atomic #: 5 Atomic Mass: 10.811 Metalloid Brownish –black Solid Discovered in 1808 Uses: Boron+Nitrogen crystals are almost as hard as diamonds **Can cut through steel Borax=laundry booster Silly Putty

CARBON-C Atomic # 6 Atomic Mass: 12.011 No known date of discovery Black, solid, non-metal Can come in many forms: charcoal, diamond, graphite, bucky balls All living matter contains Carbon Fats, sugars, and fibers in food are all made of Carbon Organic Chemistry-the chemistry of Carbon

NITROGEN-N Atomic # 7 Atomic Mass=14.007 Colorless, non-metal gas *Nitrous Oxide (NO2)- Discovered in 1772 medicine Makes up almost ~ 80% of air *Fertilizer Uses: *Coolant (-328 degrees F) (liquid Nitrogen for medicine, ice cream, etc.) Nitroglycerin (for heart attacks)

OXYGEN-O Atomic # 8 Atomic Mass = 15.9994 Colorless, non-metal gas Discovered in 1774 USES: **Our atmosphere is over 21% oxygen **Combustion (fire) can only happen with oxygen (cars, furnace, rockets, wood, paper, etc.) **Oxygen makes up ½ the weight of the earth’s crust **86% of the weight of the oceans **Every cell in the human body needs Oxygen to stay alive **Ozone, O3 protects us from the Sun

FLUORINE-F Atomic # 9 Atomic Mass = 18.998 Pale, yellow/green gas, non-metal Discovered in 1886 USES: **Added to water & toothpaste to protect teeth **Toxic in pure form **Non-stick coatings for cookware (Teflon) **One of the most reactive elements

NEON-Ne Atomic # 10 Atomic Mass=20.1797 Discovered in 1898 Colorless, non-metal gas Family 18=Noble Gases Comes from the Greek word that means “new” USES: **Neon lights (signs)—orange-red color from electricity being run through it **He/Ne lasers **The least reactive of all the elements—Neon completely refuses to react with any other elements.

SODIUM-Na Atomic # 11 Atomic Mass=22.99 Discovered in 1807 Gray/white solid Very soft Alkali metal Has to be stored in oil or it will react with oxygen in the air, and it explodes when in contact with water. Forms lots of compounds: NaCl (salt), NaCO3 (dish soap) Gives streetlights their orange glow Used in nuclear reactors as a coolant

MAGNESIUM-Mg Atomic # 12 Atomic Mass=24.305 Discovered in 1755 Silver-white solid Alkaline Earth metal Burns with an intense white light--Flashbulbs, distress flares, fireworks Strong and light—bike frames, car parts, aircraft engines

ALUMINUM-Al Atomic # 13 / Atomic Mass=26.982 Discovered in 1825 Silver-gray, solid metal 3rd most abundant element in the world—extracted from the ore ‘bauxite’ Very light and strong, doesn’t rust Powdered Aluminum used in flash powder and rocket-fuel Mylar, Al cans, foil, cookware

SILICON-Si Atomic # 14 Atomic Mass=28.086 Discovered in 1824 Glassy, off-white solid Nonmetal 2nd most abundant element on Earth Silicon computer chips (Silicon Valley, CA) Beach sand, Glass, Watches, Silica gel (keeps moisture away), adhesives

PHOSPHORUS Atomic # 15 / Atomic Mass=30.974 Discovered in 1669 Can ignite in air and burn Black, red, or white solid underwater Nonmetal, Nitrogen family Used in WWII-burns Important in DNA & the body Nerve gas Fertilizers, Matches

SULFUR Atomic # 16 Atomic Mass=32.065 Discovery unknown Pale yellow, solid Nonmetal Oxygen Family Gunpowder Volcanoes, Acid rain Bad smell—rotten eggs, garlic, onion Gardening-adjusts pH

CHLORINE Atomic #17 Atomic Mass=35.453 Discovered in 1774 *Toxic gas Nonmetal *Used in WW1 Green gas *Kills bacteria Halogen Family *Put in water to keep safe (disinfectant) Salt = NaCl Bleach = NaClO Stomach acid = HCl

ARGON Atomic # 18 Atomic Mass=39.948 Discovered in 1894 Colorless gas, nonmetal Noble Gas Family 3rd most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere Used in double-pane windows (helps prevent loss of heat) Wine protection gadgets Blue “neon” lights