Podcast
Questions and Answers
How many different elements are there?
How many different elements are there?
118
What is the symbol for gold?
What is the symbol for gold?
AU
What is gold's atomic number?
What is gold's atomic number?
79
What are some unique properties of gold?
What are some unique properties of gold?
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What process is used to separate gold atoms from crushed rock?
What process is used to separate gold atoms from crushed rock?
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How much gold is harvested per ton of earth from the underground mine?
How much gold is harvested per ton of earth from the underground mine?
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What are two other metals that, like gold, don't react with other elements?
What are two other metals that, like gold, don't react with other elements?
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What is the worth of one 60-pound bar of gold?
What is the worth of one 60-pound bar of gold?
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The alkali metals, such as sodium, have ______ electron in their outer shell.
The alkali metals, such as sodium, have ______ electron in their outer shell.
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What do the alkali metals do with that one electron?
What do the alkali metals do with that one electron?
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How many electrons are in the outer shell of an oxygen atom?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of an oxygen atom?
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What is the symbol for tin? What is its atomic number?
What is the symbol for tin? What is its atomic number?
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When copper and tin are mixed together, the alloy ______ is formed.
When copper and tin are mixed together, the alloy ______ is formed.
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Nitrates consist of three ______ atoms connected to one nitrogen atom.
Nitrates consist of three ______ atoms connected to one nitrogen atom.
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Humans (and all living things) are made up of mainly just ______ elements.
Humans (and all living things) are made up of mainly just ______ elements.
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The elements that make up humans (symbols only) are:
The elements that make up humans (symbols only) are:
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From which bodily fluid can we harvest the element phosphorus?
From which bodily fluid can we harvest the element phosphorus?
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How many electrons are in the outer shell of a carbon atom?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a carbon atom?
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What percent of a person's body is oxygen?
What percent of a person's body is oxygen?
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What are some 'trace' elements necessary for the body? Calcium, iron, magnesium, ______, and sodium.
What are some 'trace' elements necessary for the body? Calcium, iron, magnesium, ______, and sodium.
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Sodium is important for:
Sodium is important for:
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Atoms of hydrogen have one ______ and one ______.
Atoms of hydrogen have one ______ and one ______.
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Atoms of silicon have ______ protons and electrons.
Atoms of silicon have ______ protons and electrons.
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Glass is made by melting what common substance?
Glass is made by melting what common substance?
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The two elements found in sand are:
The two elements found in sand are:
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Some of the rare earth elements have been found to be useful in repelling which marine animals?
Some of the rare earth elements have been found to be useful in repelling which marine animals?
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All atoms of carbon have _____ protons.
All atoms of carbon have _____ protons.
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Which isotope of carbon is used to determine the age of ancient remains?
Which isotope of carbon is used to determine the age of ancient remains?
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Carbon-14 can be used to date artifacts up to ______ years old.
Carbon-14 can be used to date artifacts up to ______ years old.
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Atoms of uranium have ______ protons and electrons.
Atoms of uranium have ______ protons and electrons.
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The splitting of a uranium atom/nucleus is called
The splitting of a uranium atom/nucleus is called
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A chain reaction begins with bombarding a sample of uranium atoms with one ______.
A chain reaction begins with bombarding a sample of uranium atoms with one ______.
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Atoms of plutonium have ______ protons and electrons.
Atoms of plutonium have ______ protons and electrons.
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Some manmade elements only persist for ____ seconds.
Some manmade elements only persist for ____ seconds.
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Oxygen makes up ______ percent of our atmosphere.
Oxygen makes up ______ percent of our atmosphere.
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An oxygen atom wants to gain ______ electrons.
An oxygen atom wants to gain ______ electrons.
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The number of protons in an atom is known as the element's ______.
The number of protons in an atom is known as the element's ______.
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More than 70% of the elements on the periodic table are ______.
More than 70% of the elements on the periodic table are ______.
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How many electrons do the noble gases have in their outermost shell?
How many electrons do the noble gases have in their outermost shell?
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How many electrons does chlorine have in its outermost shell?
How many electrons does chlorine have in its outermost shell?
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How many electrons are in the first shell of electrons? The second?
How many electrons are in the first shell of electrons? The second?
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Which subatomic particles determine an element's reactivity?
Which subatomic particles determine an element's reactivity?
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Why are the noble gases called 'noble'?
Why are the noble gases called 'noble'?
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The chemical symbol of each element is based on the element's name in which language?
The chemical symbol of each element is based on the element's name in which language?
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Atoms with 1 proton are the element ______; atoms with 2 protons are ______.
Atoms with 1 proton are the element ______; atoms with 2 protons are ______.
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Two rows above gold is the metal:
Two rows above gold is the metal:
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Metal forms crystals, which means that they have an ______ of atoms.
Metal forms crystals, which means that they have an ______ of atoms.
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It is possible that the crack in the famous Liberty Bell was caused by too much:
It is possible that the crack in the famous Liberty Bell was caused by too much:
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Why isn't copper alone used to make bells?
Why isn't copper alone used to make bells?
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What are some unique properties of copper?
What are some unique properties of copper?
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In what objects/industries is copper used?
In what objects/industries is copper used?
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What will an atom of chlorine do to complete its outer shell?
What will an atom of chlorine do to complete its outer shell?
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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.