Podcast
Questions and Answers
There are ________ unique substances (elements) arranged on an amazing chart.
There are ________ unique substances (elements) arranged on an amazing chart.
118
All the gold ever mined would fit into a single cube about _______ feet on a side.
All the gold ever mined would fit into a single cube about _______ feet on a side.
60
Three-quarters of the elements are ________________.
Three-quarters of the elements are ________________.
metals
How an atom reacts chemically depends on how willing it is to share _________________ with others.
How an atom reacts chemically depends on how willing it is to share _________________ with others.
How much would a 60 pound block of gold be worth in dollars? $_________________________
How much would a 60 pound block of gold be worth in dollars? $_________________________
List two things copper is used for.
List two things copper is used for.
When copper is combined with another element, __________, it makes bronze.
When copper is combined with another element, __________, it makes bronze.
The number of ________________ determines what kind of element the atom is.
The number of ________________ determines what kind of element the atom is.
The number of protons is called the atomic ________________.
The number of protons is called the atomic ________________.
Metals are shiny, malleable materials that conduct ____________________________.
Metals are shiny, malleable materials that conduct ____________________________.
Most people think of _________________ as white and chalky, but it's actually a silver, shiny metal.
Most people think of _________________ as white and chalky, but it's actually a silver, shiny metal.
Fiesta® ware bowls get their orange color from _________________ , and it's actually dangerously radioactive.
Fiesta® ware bowls get their orange color from _________________ , and it's actually dangerously radioactive.
Who was the creator of the periodic table?
Who was the creator of the periodic table?
The group that fits neatly onto the end of the table, the _____________ __________, are unwilling to mix with the other elements.
The group that fits neatly onto the end of the table, the _____________ __________, are unwilling to mix with the other elements.
Protons may determine the identity of an element, but _________________ rule its reactivity.
Protons may determine the identity of an element, but _________________ rule its reactivity.
An atom with _______ electrons in its outer shell makes one happy, satisfied atom.
An atom with _______ electrons in its outer shell makes one happy, satisfied atom.
The column just before the stable noble gases are called the _________________.
The column just before the stable noble gases are called the _________________.
The ______________ metals are the first column.
The ______________ metals are the first column.
The ion chromatograph looks for positively or negatively charged molecules, called __________, in the residue.
The ion chromatograph looks for positively or negatively charged molecules, called __________, in the residue.
Every time atoms form a new bond, the reaction releases _______________.
Every time atoms form a new bond, the reaction releases _______________.
To speed up a fire to create an explosion, you regulate the amount of ________________ .
To speed up a fire to create an explosion, you regulate the amount of ________________ .
The oxygen that powers all those explosions makes up ______% of our atmosphere.
The oxygen that powers all those explosions makes up ______% of our atmosphere.
What six elements make life possible?
What six elements make life possible?
List two ways that carbon is found in its pure form.
List two ways that carbon is found in its pure form.
Your body composition is about _______% carbon and _______% nitrogen.
Your body composition is about _______% carbon and _______% nitrogen.
Hydrogen and oxygen can actually be separated from water using a little bit of ___________________.
Hydrogen and oxygen can actually be separated from water using a little bit of ___________________.
In a person's body, there's _______% oxygen.
In a person's body, there's _______% oxygen.
Phosphorus is actually involved in something really important called _________, which is the molecule that all cells use for energy.
Phosphorus is actually involved in something really important called _________, which is the molecule that all cells use for energy.
Phosphorus makes up about _______% of the human body.
Phosphorus makes up about _______% of the human body.
Altogether just those six CHNOPS elements make up 97% of the weight of his body, but what about the other 3%? Those are what's called the _________________ elements.
Altogether just those six CHNOPS elements make up 97% of the weight of his body, but what about the other 3%? Those are what's called the _________________ elements.
_____________ is important for energy metabolism.
_____________ is important for energy metabolism.
____________________ is an important part of nervous system function.
____________________ is an important part of nervous system function.
In total, the human body uses more than _______ elements in ways and quantities that are unique to us.
In total, the human body uses more than _______ elements in ways and quantities that are unique to us.
Cyanobacteria, known as _____________________________, found a way to get their energy from light and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Cyanobacteria, known as _____________________________, found a way to get their energy from light and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Around 90% of all the atoms in the universe are ________________, made by the Big Bang.
Around 90% of all the atoms in the universe are ________________, made by the Big Bang.
Stars like our own sun are constantly turning hydrogen atoms into element number two: helium. It's a process called ________________.
Stars like our own sun are constantly turning hydrogen atoms into element number two: helium. It's a process called ________________.
A powerful explosion called a ______________________ occurs when a star collapses.
A powerful explosion called a ______________________ occurs when a star collapses.
This element, with 14 protons and 14 electrons, is the 2nd most abundant element in the earth's rocky crust: __________________________.
This element, with 14 protons and 14 electrons, is the 2nd most abundant element in the earth's rocky crust: __________________________.
Glass all starts with ordinary ___________, which is made of a combination of silicon and oxygen.
Glass all starts with ordinary ___________, which is made of a combination of silicon and oxygen.
Glassmakers have learned how to precisely place minute amounts of ___________ atoms like sodium, potassium, and aluminum among the silicon atoms.
Glassmakers have learned how to precisely place minute amounts of ___________ atoms like sodium, potassium, and aluminum among the silicon atoms.
Switches made out of semiconductors made computers possible, but lately when it comes to high tech, there's a new family on the block, the __________ _____________, 15 elements located near the bottom of the table.
Switches made out of semiconductors made computers possible, but lately when it comes to high tech, there's a new family on the block, the __________ _____________, 15 elements located near the bottom of the table.
List three uses of the rare earth metal neodymium.
List three uses of the rare earth metal neodymium.
Where do the majority (98%) of rare earth minerals come from in the world?
Where do the majority (98%) of rare earth minerals come from in the world?
___________ makes magnets, but adding neodymium makes magnets on steroids.
___________ makes magnets, but adding neodymium makes magnets on steroids.
They accidentally discovered that the strong neodymium magnets can actually repel _____________.
They accidentally discovered that the strong neodymium magnets can actually repel _____________.
Scientists now know that most elements come in more than one version. The different versions are called _____________________.
Scientists now know that most elements come in more than one version. The different versions are called _____________________.
To determine how long ago droughts occurred, Scott is using __________________ to date the trees.
To determine how long ago droughts occurred, Scott is using __________________ to date the trees.
Carbon-14 can be used to date samples up to __________________ years old.
Carbon-14 can be used to date samples up to __________________ years old.
At the bottom of the periodic table, beginning with number 84, polonium, all of the elements and their isotopes are ______________________.
At the bottom of the periodic table, beginning with number 84, polonium, all of the elements and their isotopes are ______________________.
In the last 70 years, scientists have created _______ new elements.
In the last 70 years, scientists have created _______ new elements.
Study Notes
Elements and the Periodic Table
- There are 118 unique substances (elements) organized in a periodic table, each revealing secrets about its properties.
- Dmitri Mendeleev, a 19th-century Russian chemist, created the periodic table without knowledge of protons or atomic numbers.
Properties of Elements
- Metals comprise three-quarters of known elements, characterized by their shiny appearance, malleability, and good electrical conductivity.
- Protons determine an element's identity, while electrons govern its reactivity.
- Elements are organized by atomic number, reflecting the number of protons in each atom.
Specific Elements and Their Uses
- Gold: All mined gold fits into a 60-foot cube; a 60-pound block of gold is valued at approximately $1.5 million.
- Copper is commonly used in wiring and plumbing and forms bronze when combined with tin.
- Calcium is generally perceived as white, though it is a shiny silver metal.
- Uranium provides the orange color in certain vintage Fiesta® ware and is dangerously radioactive.
Importance of Certain Elements
- Essential life elements (CHNOPS): Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S), which together account for 97% of body weight.
- Each human body contains about 18% carbon and 3% nitrogen, with 65% oxygen content.
Energy and Chemical Reactions
- Chemical bonds release energy upon formation, and controlling oxygen levels can speed up reactions and explosions.
- Oxygen constitutes 21% of Earth's atmosphere and is the most abundant element in the crust.
Biological Relevance of Elements
- Phosphorus is vital for ATP, the energy currency of cells, making up about 1% of the human body.
- Magnesium aids in energy metabolism; sodium is crucial for nervous system function.
Star Formation and Elements
- Hydrogen makes up roughly 90% of all atoms in the universe, produced during the Big Bang over 13 billion years ago.
- Stars, like the sun, convert hydrogen into helium through fusion; this process ends dramatically with a supernova when iron fusion begins.
Silicon and Technology
- Silicon, with 14 protons, is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is pivotal in technology as a semiconductor material.
- Glass, essential in many applications, is made from sand (silicon and oxygen) and enhanced with metals for strength and flexibility.
Rare Earth Elements
- Rare earth metals, including neodymium, are critical for high-tech applications, with 98% sourced from China.
- Neodymium enhances iron magnets, with unintended effects such as repelling sharks.
Isotopes and Radiocarbon Dating
- Isotopes are variations of elements differing in neutron numbers; carbon-14 is used for dating up to 500 years due to its radioactive decay.
- Beginning at atomic number 84, all elements and isotopes in the periodic table are radioactive.
Recent Discoveries in Chemistry
- Since the nuclear age, scientists have successfully synthesized 26 new elements beyond uranium.
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Description
This quiz explores the fascinating world of elements and the periodic table. Discover the role of protons, electrons, and how elements are classified and utilized in everyday life. Test your knowledge on specific elements and their properties.
