Elements, Compounds, Symbols and Formulae

Properties and Uses of Elements

• Gold, platinum, and silver are lustrous, do not tarnish in air, and are used to make ornaments and jewelry.
• Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity, used to make utensils, electric wires, and can be mixed with zinc and tin to produce brass and bronze.
• Iron is strong, easily available, and used to make heavy tools and machines.
• Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance, used as a gem, and impure diamond is used to cut glass.
• Graphite marks paper black, used to make pencil leads, and is also used to make lubricants.

Other Substances and Their Uses

• Argon and neon, being inert, are used in electric bulbs to prevent the tungsten filament from destruction.
• Coal, wood, and natural gas are used as fuels due to their heat energy production.
• Water is a universal solvent, carries dissolved substances in blood and sap, and has various uses in daily life.
• Plastic is a non-conductor, used as an insulator, and has various applications in making bags, shoes, utensils, etc.
• Sand is used to prepare glass.

Different Forms of Carbon

• Diamond, graphite, and coal are all different forms of element carbon.

Applications of Metals

• Electric wires are made of copper.
• Ornaments are made of gold, platinum, or silver.
• The filament of a bulb is made of tungsten.
• Silvery foil over sweets is made of aluminium.
• Foils to wrap food are made of aluminium.
• Pipes to supply water are made of iron or copper.