Interesting element on the periodic table

Hydrogen (H)

is the lightest element. It only has one proton in the centre and one electron moving around the proton.

Silver (Ag)

is a beautiful, shiny element. It has been used to make jewellery and coins since ancient times.

Silver is also used in nanotechnology. Remember, nanotechnology is the science of very small objects. When things get very small, they behave in new and interesting ways. They can help us solve problems, like making unsafe drinking water, safe to drink. Nano-silver particles can kill bacteria by clinging to them and then making sure they don’t get any oxygen. This kills the bacteria. Scientists are combining silver particles with plastic, to make water barrels that can be used to keep water fresh. We also get nanosilver lunch boxes that will keep food fresh for longer. There are nano-silver plasters that help heal wounds faster and even deodorant with nano-silver particles that kill bacteria faster and prevent odours.

Silver is an excellent conductor of electricity and is used in electronics and photography. What a wonderful, useful element!

Carbon (C)

is an element that has different physical forms.

If the atoms are squashed close together, we get the hardest substance in the world – diamond.

If the atoms are further apart, they form coal, the soft black substance used by power stations to produce electricity. Unbelievable that a shiny diamond and a black piece of coal is the same element.

Sulphur (S)

Sulphur (S) is a yellow element. It forms brittle lumps or crystals. An element is brittle when it breaks easily. Sulphur can also exist as a powder. Pure sulphur is often found near volcanoes and hot springs. It is also used to make matches, fireworks, paper, pesticides and medicines.

Argon (Ar)

Neon (Ne)

is a gas that is used in ‘neon lights’. When electricity is passed through this gas in a tube, it glows red. Argon (Ar) is a gas that glows deep blue-green.

Titanium (Ti)

is a metal that can withstand very high temperatures when it is mixed with other elements to form steel. Very fast-moving jet planes, such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, become very hot as they push through the air. So their outer coverings contain elements which can stand great heat. Many sports gear like bicycles, tennis rackets and even some parts of sports cars use titanium because it’s both strong and lightweight, helping athletes perform better. Titanium is also used in medical implants like joint replacements because our bodies accept it well. It doesn’t usually cause reactions, so it’s safe for implants in our bodies.

Aluminium (Al)

is a shiny, silver metal used to make cooldrink cans. Aluminium is found in the earth’s rocks. Extracting and purifying it is very expensive. It uses a lot of energy and takes a long time. That is why we should recycle aluminium cans, so that we can save 90% of the energy and the money.

Gold (Au)

is a precious metal that doesn’t rust or tarnish, making it shiny and valuable. Gold has been used by people for thousands of years to make jewellery and coins. Unlike many other metals, gold doesn’t easily rust or corrode. That’s why it stays shiny even after being buried for thousands of years. While gold is typically yellow, it can be mixed with other metals to create different colours. For instance, when mixed with copper, it creates rose gold and with palladium, it forms white gold.