Name That Element!

Some ancient cultures considered this element to be more valuable than gold (Au). Both elements belong to a group of much-sought-after transition metals called precious metals. People prize the mystery element because it’s rarely found in its pure state in nature. It’s usually mixed with less valuable metals in ores—metal-containing rocks. The element was one of the first metals traded as currency. Today, 1 ounce (28 grams) of the mystery element, roughly the weight of five quarters, is worth about $17. Figured it out? Score 100 points. Otherwise, try clue #2.

In some ancient cultures, this element was more valuable than gold (Au). Both elements are precious metals. That’s a group of transition metals that are highly prized. People value the mystery element because it’s rarely found in its pure state in nature. It’s usually mixed with less valuable metals in ores—metal-containing rocks. The element was one of the first metals traded as currency. Today, people pay about $17 for 1 ounce (28 grams) of the mystery element. That’s about the weight of five quarters. Figured it out? Score 100 points. Otherwise, try clue #2.

In 1946, scientists discovered that they could trigger rainstorms if they sprinkled clouds with a compound—a substance made up of two or more chemically combined elements—of the mystery element and iodine (I). These two elements are members of the same period, or row, on the periodic table. The compound’s structure resembles the crystalline structure of ice. As a result, it acts like a “seed” for growing real ice crystals by attracting water molecules to its surface. Once the ice crystals become heavy enough, they fall as snow or rain, depending on the air temperature. Got the answer? Score 80 points. If not, read clue #3.

In 1946, scientists found a way to trigger rainstorms. They sprinkled clouds with a compound—a substance made up of two or more chemically combined elements—of the mystery element and iodine (I). These two elements in the same period, or row, on the periodic table. The compound’s structure is similar to the structure of ice crystals. So it acts like a “seed” for growing real ice crystals. It does this by attracting water molecules to its surface. The ice crystals grow and get heavier. Finally, they fall as snow or rain, depending on the air temperature. Got the answer? Score 80 points. If not, read clue #3.

The mystery element is the best electrical conductor of any metal. Because electricity easily flows through this material, it’s often used in devices, like computer keyboards, that require speedy electrical connections. Each time you press a key, you complete a circuit that contains the mystery element. This allows electricity to move through this path, sending an electrical signal to your computer indicating the letter, number, or symbol you typed. Know the element? Score 60 points. Need more help? Check out clue #4.

The mystery element is the best electrical conductor of any metal. Because electricity easily flows through this material, it’s often used in devices, like computer keyboards, that require speedy electrical connections. Each time you press a key, you complete a circuit that contains the mystery element. This allows electricity to move through this path, sending an electrical signal to your computer indicating the letter, number, or symbol you typed. Know the element? Score 60 points. Need more help? Check out clue #4.

Polish the mystery element and it will gleam—so much so that it reflects nearly all light that hits its surface. People long ago recognized the usefulness of this property to view their own reflections. They coated the backs of pieces of glass with a thin layer of the mystery element, creating the first mirrors. Some of today’s mirrors are still made with the mystery element, but many now use aluminum (AI)—a similarly shiny, but less expensive, metal. Solved the mystery? Score 40 points. Not yet? See clue #5.

Polish the mystery element, and it will gleam. In fact, it reflects almost all light that hits its surface. Long ago, people found that they could use this feature to see their own reflections. They coated the backs of pieces of glass with a thin layer of the mystery element. These were the first mirrors. Today, some mirrors are still made with the mystery element. But many use aluminum (AI). This metal is shiny like the mystery element but less expensive. Solved the mystery? Score 40 points. Not yet? See clue #5.

If a dentist spots a cavity, one option is to remove the decay and fill the hole in the tooth with a mixture containing the mystery element. This amalgam—a mixture of mercury (Hg) and one or more metals—has been used as a tooth-filler since the mid-1800s. That’s because the material can withstand the pressure of chewing. Dental amalgams also contain copper (Cu), which is found in the same group (column) as the mystery element. Cracked the case? Score 20 points. Then go on.

If a dentist spots a cavity, this element can help. The dentist can remove the decay and fill the tooth with an amalgam. That’s a mixture of mercury (Hg) and other metals. Dental amalgams include the mystery element. This mixture has been used to fill teeth since the mid-1800s. It can withstand the pressure of chewing. Dental amalgams also contain copper (Cu), a metal in the same group (column) as the mystery element. Cracked the case? Score 20 points. Then go on.

The periodic table is a systematic way to organize Earth’s elements—substances that each consist of only one kind of atom. Today, there are 118 known chemical elements.

Elements on the periodic table are arranged by their atomic numbers in ascending order. Hydrogen (H), for example, has an atomic number of 1 and is the lightest known natural element.

Scientists have created elements with atomic numbers greater than 92, but they don’t exist naturally.

The periodic table is a systematic way to organize Earth’s elements—substances that each consist of only one kind of atom. Today, there are 118 known chemical elements.

Elements on the periodic table are arranged by their atomic numbers in ascending order. Hydrogen (H), for example, has an atomic number of 1 and is the lightest known natural element.

Scientists have created elements with atomic numbers greater than 92, but they don’t exist naturally.

Use the periodic table and what you learned about the mystery element to answer the following questions.

1. Which element is NOT a noble gas?

A. argon (Ar)

B. helium (He)

C. nitrogen (N)

D. radon (Rn)

2. Which of these elements has the greatest number of protons?

A. iron (Fe)

B. gold (Au)

C. silver (Ag)

D. lead (Pb)

3. How many alkali metals does the periodic table contain?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 7

D. 12

4. Which of these elements is a transition metal?

A. cobalt (Co)

B. chlorine (Cl)

C. lithium (Li)

D. sodium (Na)

5. A mixture made up of mercury (Hg) and one or more other metals is called a(n) _____.

A. amalgam

B. compound

C. conductor

D. precious metal

Use the periodic table and what you learned about the mystery element to answer the following questions.

1. Which element is NOT a noble gas?

A. argon (Ar)

B. helium (He)

C. nitrogen (N)

D. radon (Rn)

2. Which of these elements has the greatest number of protons?

A. iron (Fe)

B. gold (Au)

C. silver (Ag)

D. lead (Pb)

3. How many alkali metals does the periodic table contain?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 7

D. 12

4. Which of these elements is a transition metal?

A. cobalt (Co)

B. chlorine (Cl)

C. lithium (Li)

D. sodium (Na)

5. A mixture made up of mercury (Hg) and one or more other metals is called a(n) _____.

A. amalgam

B. compound

C. conductor

D. precious metal