The Elements

Aluminum

Al; Aluminum is a shiny silver-grey metal. It is the third most abundant element in the earths crust at 8%. "Tin foil" is actually made from aluminum. Aluminum pots don't rust. An aluminum frame bike is more lightweight than a steel bike. Aluminum cans can be recycled many times.

Argon

Ar; It is a colorless, odorless and inert (non-reactive) Nobel gas. It glows blue-green in a discharge tube. It is the third most abundant gas in the atmosphere. It is used as an atmospheric shield during arc welding. It is an asphyxiant used to kill poultry.

Boron

B; A hard black solid metalloid. Helps make glass heat resistant - Pyrex. Makes borax detergent. Makes boric acid insecticide. Helps make material for bullet-proof jackets.

Beryllium

Be; A lightweight Metal. Structural material for missiles, high performance aircrafts and satellites. Used in mirrors for telescopes. Helps make emeralds.

Carbon

C; Soft graphite and hard diamonds. Graphite, not "lead" pencils. Hydrocarbon fuels. Carbon-based life on Earth.

Calcium

Ca; A greyish- silver metal. Found in dairy products. Important for strong bones and teeth. Chalk and cement is made from calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Coral reefs and marine shells are mostly made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

Chlorine

Cl; A yellowish gas. Chlorine bleach.Used as an antiseptic to disinfect pools. Chlorine gas (Cl2) is a respiratory irritant and was used as a weapon to induce choking in WWI. Used to make PVC (polyvinyl chloride), the third most widely produced plastic.

Flourine

F; A yellow poisonous gas. The most reactive of all the elements. Found in fluoride containing toothpastes. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in aerosol sprays destroy the ozone layer. Found in Teflon non-stick coatings.

Hydrogen

H; Hydrogen is a colorless and odorless gas. Hydrogen is dangerous because it is an explosive gas. It is the lightest of all the elements. Our sun and other stars are made up of hydrogen atoms.

Helium

He; A colorless, odorless and inert (non-reactive) Noble gas. Glows purple in an electrical discharge tube. It is less dense than air so it makes things float. Coolant for nuclear reactors.

Potassium

K; A silvery metal which is reactive with water. Potash is used as a fertilizer. Gun powder contains potassium nitrate. Match heads contain potassium chlorate. Important for a healthy nervous system.

Lithium

Li; The lightest metal and very soft. Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Lithium alloys are used to make aircrafts and missiles. It is added to strengthen glass. It treats manic depression.

Magnesium

Mg; Magnesium is a silvery metal that makes up 15% of the earth's crust. It is flammable and reactive with water. It is a key component in fireworks. Since it is lightweight with good electrical and mechanical properties, it is essential in portable electronics.

Nitrogen

N; A colorless and odorless gas. Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of the air. An important component of proteins. An important element in fertilizers. An important component in DNA.

Sodium

Na; Sodium is a soft silvery- white metal. It is very reactive, with water so it must be stored under mineral oil to prevent it from reacting to the water vapor in the air. The compound NaCl makes up table salt. The breakdown of sodium azide causes airbags to expand rabidly. Sodium hydroxide is used to make hard soap.

Neon

Ne; A colorless, odorless and inert (non-reactive) Noble gas. Glows red in an electrical discharge tube. Neon signs. Barcode scanners use a helium neon (HeNe) laser. Plasma TV's are filled with xenon and neon gases.

Oxygen

O; A colorless and odorless gas. Oxygen gas makes up 21% of air. Composes 65% of the human body. Most abundant element in the Earth's crust. An important element in combustion. Makes up the ozone (O3) layer.

Phosphorus

P; It comes primarily in a white and red solid form. Red phosphorus is used to make safety matches. Organophosphates are deadly nerve agents. An important component of the phospholipids in cell membranes.

Sulfur

S; It is a yellow, non-metal solid. Elemental sulfur is naturally found in volcanoes and hot springs. Disulfide bridges in proteins determine the texture of hair. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in rotten eggs and farts create bad smells.

Silicon

Si; A silvery solid metalloid. The second most abundant element (25%) in the Earth's crust. A major component of glass. A component of Silicone breast implants. It is semi-conductive so it is used in computer chips.