Name That Element!

This shiny transition metal is one of the rarest elements in Earth’s crust, or outer layer. But scientists suspect it’s more plentiful deep in the planet’s core. That’s because the element has a strong affinity for iron (Fe) in Earth’s center. Iron is in the group, or column, next to the one that contains the mystery element. Since the mystery element is so rare, only 5 tons of it are mined each year, mainly from deposits in South Africa. Got it with just one clue? Score 100 points. If not, then read clue #2.

This element is a shiny transition metal. It’s one of the rarest elements in Earth’s crust, or outer layer. But scientists think it’s more common deep in the planet’s core. That’s because the element has a strong affinity for iron (Fe) in Earth’s center. Iron is in the group, or column, next to the mystery element’s group. Since the mystery element is so rare, only 5 tons of it are mined each year. It comes mainly from deposits in South Africa. Got it with just one clue? Score 100 points. If not, then read clue #2.

Most vehicles get their power from an internal combustion engine. A spark plug is a key component of these energy-generating machines. “It fires to ignite the air-and-fuel mix that runs the engine,” says Kris Zdral at the NGK Spark Plug Company in Michigan. Many high-end spark plugs contain the mystery element. These plugs are more durable and allow an engine to burn fuel more efficiently than those that contain other metals— like gold (Au)—found in the same period, or row, as the mystery element. Done already? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue #3.

Most vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine. A spark plug is a key part of these energy-generating machines. “It fires to ignite the air-and-fuel mix that runs the engine,” says Kris Zdral at the NGK Spark Plug Company in Michigan. Many high-end spark plugs contain the mystery element. Other plugs contain other metals. One is gold (Au), which is in the same period (row) as this element. But the mystery element plugs hold up longer. They also allow an engine to burn fuel more efficiently. Done already? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue #3.

Roughly 65 million years ago, 70 percent of the world’s species— including the dinosaurs—died out. The mystery element could explain what caused this catastrophe. A layer of clay unearthed in different parts of the world contains large amounts of the metal. “[The mystery element] is rarer than gold in Earth’s crust, but it’s relatively common in asteroids,” says Ken MacLeod, a geologist at the University of Missouri. The clay is from the time of the mass extinction, so this led scientists to theorize that a large asteroid crashed into Earth, wiping out the dinos. Score 60 points if you know the element. Otherwise, try the next clue.

About 65 million years ago, 70 percent of the world’s species died out. That included the dinosaurs. The mystery element could explain the cause of this disaster. A layer of clay was uncovered in different parts of the world. It contains large amounts of the metal. “[The mystery element] is rarer than gold in Earth’s crust, but it’s relatively common in asteroids,” says Ken MacLeod. He’s a geologist at the University of Missouri. The clay is from the time of the mass extinction. So scientists think that a large asteroid crashed into Earth and wiped out the dinos. Score 60 points if you know the element. Otherwise, try the next clue.

Silicon (Si) crystals are the basis of microchips, which allow devices like laptops and cell phones to function. Workers grow the crystals in small, heat-resistant containers called crucibles. These are made of the mystery element—which is named after Iris, the Greek goddess of rainbows—because it doesn’t react with silicon and has a high melting point (temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid). Each silicon crystal is sliced into wafers to create microchips, says George Kyriakakis, a chemist and president of Extractive Resources in South Carolina. Figured it out? Score 40 points. If not, read on.

Microchips are made from silicon (Si) crystals. The chips allow devices like laptops and cell phones to function. Workers grow the crystals in small, heat-resistant containers called crucibles. These are made of the mystery element for two main reasons. It has a high melting point (temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid). And it doesn’t react with silicon. Each silicon crystal is sliced into wafers to create microchips for electronics, says George Kyriakakis. He’s a chemist and president of Extractive Resources in South Carolina. Figured it out? Score 40 points. If not, read on.

For the past two decades, the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been orbiting Earth, snapping pictures of distant stars, galaxies, and black holes. To capture these images, the spacecraft’s mirrors focus a type of high-energy radiation, called X-rays, emitted by the celestial bodies. That’s possible thanks to a coating just 32 nanometers (about 1 millionth of an inch) thick of the mystery element on Chandra’s mirrors. “The coating has to be a very dense, stable material [to reflect X-rays],” says Chandra astrophysicist Paul Gorenstein. Game over! Score 20 points and go on.

For two decades, the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been orbiting Earth. It snaps pictures of distant stars, galaxies, and black holes. To capture these images, the spacecraft’s mirrors focus X-rays. This high-energy radiation is given off by the celestial bodies. A coating of the mystery element on Chandra’s mirrors allows the telescope to do its job. This layer is just 32 nanometers (about 1-millionth of an inch) thick. “The coating has to be a very dense, stable material [to reflect X-rays],” says Chandra astrophysicist Paul Gorenstein. Game over! Score 20 points and go on.