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Name That Element!

Which element fixes cavities, lights up energy-efficient bulbs, and can make you go mad ? Use these five clues to figure out the mystery element. Then go on to test your chemistry IQ.

March 26, 2018
By Cici Zhang and Libby Tucker

BRILLIANT RED

BRILLIANT RED

JEFFREY COOLIDGE/GETTY IMAGES

In its pure state, the mystery element is a shiny, silver liquid. But in nature, it combines with sulfur (S) to form a bright red mineral—a naturally occurring solid made of different elements. For thousands of years, artists used the mineral, called cinnabar, to make a deep red pigment known as vermilion. It’s been found in ancient Chinese, Roman, and European artworks. Some artists still use vermilion pigment today. Know the answer already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue #2.

The mystery element is a shiny, silver liquid in its pure state. But in nature, it combines with sulfur (S) to form a bright red mineral. That’s a natural solid made of different elements. This mineral is called cinnabar. For thousands of years, artists used it to make a deep red pigment called vermilion. It’s been found in ancient Chinese, Roman, and European art. Some artists still use vermillion pigment today. Know the answer already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue #2.

ALEX MUSTARD/NATUREPL

SEAFOOD TOXIN

SEAFOOD TOXIN

Large fish tend to accumulate the mystery element in their bodies. The element enters the ocean as part of industrial pollution. Once in the water, the element converts to a highly toxic form. Tiny ocean organisms called plankton absorb the toxin. Small fish then eat the plankton, and they’re eaten by large fish like tuna and swordfish. These animals at the top of the food chain end up with the highest levels of contamination. Got it now? Score 80 points. No luck? Go to clue #3.

The mystery element tends to build up in the bodies of large fish. It enters the ocean as part of pollution from factories. In the water, the element changes to a toxic form. Tiny living things called plankton soak up the toxin in the ocean. Then small fish eat the plankton, and they’re eaten by big fish like tuna and swordfish. These animals are at the top of the food chain. They end up with the highest levels of toxin. Got it now? Score 80 points. No luck? Go to clue #3.

ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

CAVITY FIXER

CAVITY FIXER

Since the 1800s, dentists have filled cavities in teeth with a material called amalgam. It’s composed mainly of the mystery element and silver (Ag)—both of which are transition metals. The mystery element helps make the filling material pliable enough to press into the tooth. While amalgam is still in use, many dentists today choose to repair teeth using newer artificial resins—thick, squishy substances that harden into solids. Guessed the element? Score 60 points. Otherwise, check out clue #4.

Since the 1800’s, dentists have filled cavities in teeth with a material called amalgam. It’s made up mostly of the mystery element and silver (Ag). Both of these elements are transition metals. The mystery element helps make the filling material bend more easily. That way, dentists can press it into the tooth. Amalgam is still used, but many dentists repair teeth with newer human-made resins instead. These are thick, squishy materials that harden into solids. Guessed the element? Score 60 points. Otherwise, check out clue #4.

ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

BRIGHT IDEA

BRIGHT IDEA

Energy-efficient bulbs known as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) rely on the mystery element to work. A CFL bulb contains a tube filled with inert, or chemically inactive, argon (Ar) gas and a small amount of the mystery element. When an electric current passes through the vapor, it strikes atoms of the mystery element, causing them to emit ultraviolet (UV) light. These high-energy waves strike a coating on the inside of the tube, which in turn gives off visible light we can see. Game over? Score 40 points. Not yet? Try the last clue.

Light bulbs called compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) can help save energy. They need the mystery element to work. A CFL bulb contains a tube filled with argon (Ar) and a small amount of the mystery element. Argon is an inert gas, meaning it’s chemically inactive. An electric current passes through the gas and strikes the mystery element’s atoms. This makes them give off ultraviolet (UV) light. These high-energy waves strike a coating on the inside of the tube. Then the coating gives off visible light we can see. Game over? Score 40 points. Not yet? Try the last clue.

RGR COLLECTION/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

HATMAKER’S ENEMY

HATMAKER’S ENEMY

In the 19th century, hatmakers used a chemical containing the mystery element to remove fur from animal skins. But exposure to the element caused hatmakers to develop mental health problems, leading to the expression “mad as a hatter.” They were unaware that the element becomes a deadly neurotoxin that poisons the nervous system when it loses two electrons—leaving it with the same number of electrons as a neutral atom of platinum (Pt). Did you name the element? Score 20 points. Then go on.

In the 19th century, hatmakers used a chemical containing the mystery element. It removed fur from animal skins. But hatmakers developed mental problems because of contact with the element. That led to the saying “mad as a hatter.” They didn’t know that the element can become a deadly neurotoxin that poisons the nervous system. That happens when it loses two electrons. Then the element has the same number of electrons as a neutral atom of platinum (Pt). Did you name the element? Score 20 points. Then go on.

PERIODIC TABLE

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.

ANATOMY OF AN ELEMENT

Atomic number equals the number of protons (positively charged particles) in an atom’s nucleus, or center. Each element consists of atoms that all have the same number of protons, and so each has a unique atomic number. In a neutral atom, the number of protons and the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) are equal.

Atomic mass is the average mass of the naturally occurring isotopes of an element. Isotopes are atoms of an element with the same number of protons but with different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic number equals the number of protons (positively charged particles) in an atom’s nucleus, or center. Each element consists of atoms that all have the same number of protons, and so each has a unique atomic number. In a neutral atom, the number of protons and the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) are equal.

Atomic mass is the average mass of the naturally occurring isotopes of an element. Isotopes are atoms of an element with the same number of protons but with different numbers of neutrons.

ATOMIC STRUCTURE

The mystery element’s symbol comes from its Greek name, “hydrargyrum,” which means liquid silver.

The mystery element’s symbol comes from its Greek name, “hydrargyrum,” which means liquid silver.

TEST YOUR CHEMISTRY IQ

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

 

1. Which of the following elements is found in the same period, or row, as zinc (Zn)?

 

A. platinum (Pt)

B. tin (Sn)

C. iodine (I)

D. nickel (Ni)

 

2. Magnesium (Mg) is an example of a(n) _____.

 

A. alkaline earth metal

B. nonmetal

C. noble gas

D. transition metal

 

3. Which element has 79 protons in its nucleus?

 

A. copper (Cu)

B. gold (Au)

C. cobalt (Co)

D. selenium (Se)

 

4. Which of the following is found in nature as a liquid?

 

A. bromine (Br)

B. hydrogen (H)

C. technetium (Tc)

D. silver (Ag)

 

5. Which of the following elements is inert? (Hint: Elements in the same group, or column, have similar properties.)

 

A. beryllium (Be)

B. lead (Pb)

C. neon (Ne)

D. palladium (Pd)

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

 

1. Which of the following elements is found in the same period, or row, as zinc (Zn)?

 

A. platinum (Pt)

B. tin (Sn)

C. iodine (I)

D. nickel (Ni)

 

2. Magnesium (Mg) is an example of a(n) _____.

 

A. alkaline earth metal

B. nonmetal

C. noble gas

D. transition metal

 

3. Which element has 79 protons in its nucleus?

 

A. copper (Cu)

B. gold (Au)

C. cobalt (Co)

D. selenium (Se)

 

4. Which of the following is found in nature as a liquid?

 

A. bromine (Br)

B. hydrogen (H)

C. technetium (Tc)

D. silver (Ag)

 

5. Which of the following elements is inert? (Hint: Elements in the same group, or column, have similar properties.)

 

A. beryllium (Be)

B. lead (Pb)

C. neon (Ne)

D. palladium (Pd)

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Elements & the Periodic Table
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