Name That Element!

In 1797, French chemist Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin discovered the mystery element. He extracted it from a bright-red mineral found in Russia. In fact, many minerals that contain the mystery element have vibrant colors. Vauquelin even detected small amounts of this transition metal in rubies and emeralds. It gives the gemstones their respective red and green colors. Because of the element’s ability to change the hue of a compound, Vauquelin named it after the Greek word for “color.” Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

In 1797, a French chemist discovered the mystery element. Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin extracted it from a bright red mineral from Russia. The mystery element gives many minerals bright colors. Vauquelin even detected small amounts of it in rubies and emeralds. This transition metal makes these gemstones red or green. The mystery element can change the color of a compound. So Vauquelin named it after the Greek word for “color.” Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

Without the mystery element, the hubcaps on vehicles wouldn’t have their metallic shine. To get this look, car manufacturers first coat hubcaps with nickel (Ni), which is found in the same period, or row, on the periodic table as the mystery element. Then the hubcaps go into a solution of the mystery element. An electric current gets passed through the solution. This causes a thin layer of the mystery element to stick to the nickel coating. This process is called electroplating. It protects hubcaps from scratches. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

Hubcaps on vehicles have a metallic shine. But they wouldn’t shine without the mystery element. To get this look, car manufacturers coat hubcaps with nickel (Ni). Nickel and the mystery element are in the same period, or row, on the periodic table. Then the hubcaps go into a solution of the mystery element. An electric current passes through the solution. The result? A thin layer of the mystery element sticks to the nickel coating. This process is called electroplating. It protects hubcaps from scratches. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

Those leather sneakers you’ve been eyeing started out as cowhide. The animal skin had to be tanned, or processed with chemicals, to change it into leather. The main chemical used to do this contains the mystery element. The chemical alters the structure of proteins—large biological molecules—in the hide, causing them to link together. This makes the material more durable. If not tanned, animal skin will decompose over time. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

Maybe you’re eyeing a pair of leather sneakers. They started out as cowhide. To change the animal skin into leather, it had to be tanned. It was processed with chemicals. The main tanning chemical contains the mystery element. The chemical changes the structure of proteins in the hide. It causes these large biological molecules to link together. This makes the material more durable. What if animal skin isn’t tanned? It will decay over time. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

Most silverware isn’t actually made of silver (Ag). It’s made of stainless steel—an alloy, or metal mixture, of iron (Fe) and the mystery element. The addition of the mystery element prevents metal utensils from rusting. That’s because the element reacts with oxygen (O) in the air to form a thin coating. It acts as a barrier, protecting the metal from corrosion—a chemical reaction that causes some metals to deteriorate. Stainless steel can also contain other metals, such as molybdenum (Mo), to make it even more resistant to corrosion. Molybdenum is in the same group, or column, as the mystery element. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

Most silverware really isn’t made of silver (Ag). It’s made of stainless steel. That’s an alloy, or metal mixture. It contains iron (Fe) and the mystery element. This element is added to prevent metal utensils from rusting. The mystery element reacts with oxygen (O) in the air to form a thin coating. It acts as a barrier and protects the metal from corrosion. That’s a chemical reaction that breaks down some metals. Stainless steel can also contain other metals to make it even more resistant to corrosion. One is molybdenum (Mo). It’s in the same group, or column, as the mystery element. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

The next time you have a pimple, try dabbing it with a bit of green concealer. This can make the spot look less red. Green makeup gets its color from a pigment, or colored substance, that contains the mystery metal. This pigment is “used in color-correction concealer to counteract redness,” says Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Ohio. Green and red are complementary colors. When mixed, they create neutral tones like shades of brown that blend in with skin to cover up a zit. Many other metallic pigments are used to create colorful makeup. For example, a compound that contains manganese (Mn)—which has one more proton than the mystery element—gives cosmetics a violet color. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

When you have a pimple, dab it with a little green concealer. Then the spot will look less red. Green makeup gets its color from a pigment, or colored substance. This pigment contains the mystery metal. It’s “used in color-correction concealer to counteract redness,” says Kelly Dobos. She’s a cosmetic chemist in Ohio. Green and red are complementary colors. When mixed, they create neutral tones like shades of brown. These tones blend in with skin to cover up a zit. Many other metallic pigments are used in colorful makeup. For example, another compound gives cosmetics a violet color. This compound contains manganese (Mn), which has one more proton than the mystery element. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.