Questions and Answers
How many different elements are there?
118
What is the symbol for gold?
AU
What is gold's atomic number?
79
What are some unique properties of gold?
Signup and view all the answers
What process is used to separate gold atoms from crushed rock?
Signup and view all the answers
How much gold is harvested per ton of earth from the underground mine?
Signup and view all the answers
What are two other metals that, like gold, don't react with other elements?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the worth of one 60-pound bar of gold?
Signup and view all the answers
The alkali metals, such as sodium, have ______ electron in their outer shell.
Signup and view all the answers
What do the alkali metals do with that one electron?
Signup and view all the answers
How many electrons are in the outer shell of an oxygen atom?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the symbol for tin? What is its atomic number?
Signup and view all the answers
When copper and tin are mixed together, the alloy ______ is formed.
Signup and view all the answers
Nitrates consist of three ______ atoms connected to one nitrogen atom.
Signup and view all the answers
Humans (and all living things) are made up of mainly just ______ elements.
Signup and view all the answers
The elements that make up humans (symbols only) are:
Signup and view all the answers
From which bodily fluid can we harvest the element phosphorus?
Signup and view all the answers
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a carbon atom?
Signup and view all the answers
What percent of a person's body is oxygen?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some 'trace' elements necessary for the body? Calcium, iron, magnesium, ______, and sodium.
Signup and view all the answers
Sodium is important for:
Signup and view all the answers
Atoms of hydrogen have one ______ and one ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Atoms of silicon have ______ protons and electrons.
Signup and view all the answers
Glass is made by melting what common substance?
Signup and view all the answers
The two elements found in sand are:
Signup and view all the answers
Some of the rare earth elements have been found to be useful in repelling which marine animals?
Signup and view all the answers
All atoms of carbon have _____ protons.
Signup and view all the answers
Which isotope of carbon is used to determine the age of ancient remains?
Signup and view all the answers
Carbon-14 can be used to date artifacts up to ______ years old.
Signup and view all the answers
Atoms of uranium have ______ protons and electrons.
Signup and view all the answers
The splitting of a uranium atom/nucleus is called
Signup and view all the answers
A chain reaction begins with bombarding a sample of uranium atoms with one ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Atoms of plutonium have ______ protons and electrons.
Signup and view all the answers
Some manmade elements only persist for ____ seconds.
Signup and view all the answers
Oxygen makes up ______ percent of our atmosphere.
Signup and view all the answers
An oxygen atom wants to gain ______ electrons.
Signup and view all the answers
The number of protons in an atom is known as the element's ______.
Signup and view all the answers
More than 70% of the elements on the periodic table are ______.
Signup and view all the answers
How many electrons do the noble gases have in their outermost shell?
Signup and view all the answers
How many electrons does chlorine have in its outermost shell?
Signup and view all the answers
How many electrons are in the first shell of electrons? The second?
Signup and view all the answers
Which subatomic particles determine an element's reactivity?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are the noble gases called 'noble'?
Signup and view all the answers
The chemical symbol of each element is based on the element's name in which language?
Signup and view all the answers
Atoms with 1 proton are the element ______; atoms with 2 protons are ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Two rows above gold is the metal:
Signup and view all the answers
Metal forms crystals, which means that they have an ______ of atoms.
Signup and view all the answers
It is possible that the crack in the famous Liberty Bell was caused by too much:
Signup and view all the answers
Why isn't copper alone used to make bells?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some unique properties of copper?
Signup and view all the answers
In what objects/industries is copper used?
Signup and view all the answers
What will an atom of chlorine do to complete its outer shell?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Elements Overview
- There are 118 different elements known.
- Gold has the chemical symbol AU and an atomic number of 79.
- Unique properties of gold include being non-rusting, malleable, and durable.
Gold Extraction
- Fire assay is the process used to separate gold atoms from crushed rock.
- Approximately 1 ounce of gold is harvested per ton of earth mined from underground sources.
- A 60-pound bar of gold is valued at around 1.5 million USD.
Chemical Properties of Metals
- Alkali metals like sodium have 1 electron in their outer shell and lose it easily.
- Silver and platinum share non-reactive characteristics similar to gold.
Atomic Structure Insights
- Oxygen has 6 electrons in its outer shell and constitutes 65% of the human body.
- Carbon has 4 outer electrons, while silicon has 14 protons and electrons.
- An oxygen atom aims to gain 2 electrons to complete its outer shell.
Essential Elements and Their Functions
- Humans primarily consist of 6 elements: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S).
- Trace elements necessary for the body include calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and sodium.
Materials and Applications
- Glass is created by melting sand, which is primarily composed of silicon and oxygen.
- Copper, when combined with tin, forms the alloy bronze, known for its durability.
Chemical Reactions and Isotopes
- Carbon-14 is a notable isotope useful for dating artifacts up to 40,000 years old.
- Fission is the process of splitting a uranium atom, which requires bombarding it with a neutron.
Properties of Gases and Electrons
- Noble gases possess 8 electrons in their outer shell and are chemically non-reactive.
- Chlorine has 7 outer-shell electrons and will acquire one to fill its shell.
Crystal Structure and Metallic Properties
- Metals are characterized by orderly arrangements of atoms forming crystals.
- Copper is commonly used in infrastructure and electronics due to its conductivity and ability to repel bacteria.
Other Key Facts
- More than 70% of the elements in the periodic table are metals.
- The chemical symbol of each element originates from Latin.
- Atoms with 1 proton are hydrogen, and those with 2 are helium. Copper is situated two rows above gold in the periodic table.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on elements with these flashcards based on the NOVA episode 'Hunting the Elements'. This quiz covers fundamental concepts about elements, with a focus on gold and its unique properties. Perfect for science enthusiasts seeking to learn or review elemental facts.
