Name That Element!

The mystery element is mined from Earth’s crust, or outer layer. But there’s not much of it. The total amount discovered so far would fit into a cube 23 meters (75 feet) on each side! Because this metal is rare and doesn’t tarnish, or lose its shine, it’s been highly prized by people for thousands of years. It even features in many cultures’ folklore. In Norse mythology, for example, apples made of the mystery element gave gods like Thor immortality. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

The mystery element is mined from Earth’s crust. That’s the planet’s outer layer. But not much of this element has been found. So far, the total amount would fit into a cube 23 meters (75 feet) on each side! This metal is rare and doesn’t tarnish, or lose its shine. So people have highly prized it for thousands of years. It is a part of many cultures’ folklore. For example, apples made of the mystery element are in Norse mythology. They gave gods like Thor immortality. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

In 2021, NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope, which continues to take the most-detailed images of the universe ever seen. The telescope has an enormous mirror coated with a thin layer of the mystery element—just one-thousandth the width of a human hair. The highly reflective surface helps concentrate light from distant objects in space. Webb primarily senses infrared light, which is detectable as heat. The mystery element is good at reflecting this type of light. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

In 2021, NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope. It is taking the most-detailed images of the universe ever seen. A thin layer of the mystery element coats the telescope’s enormous mirror. This coating is just one-thousandth the width of a human hair. The surface is highly reflective. It helps concentrate light from distant objects in space. Webb mainly senses infrared light, which it detects as heat. The mystery element is good at reflecting this type of light. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

To get a magnified look at the surface of super-small stuff, like an ant, scientists use an instrument called a scanning electron microscope (SEM). First, they coat a specimen with the mystery element or with palladium (Pd), another transition metal. Then they place the specimen in the microscope, which scans the sample with a beam of electrons. These negatively charged particles interact with the metal coating, which causes more electrons and high-energy X-rays to be emitted. A computer analyzes these particles and rays, then forms an amazing 3-D image of the specimen. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

How do scientists get a close-up look at the surface of super-small stuff, like an ant? They use an instrument called a scanning electron microscope (SEM). First, they coat a specimen with the mystery element or with palladium (Pd). That’s another transition metal. Then they place the specimen in the microscope. It scans the sample with a beam of electrons. These negatively charged particles interact with the metal coating. That causes more electrons and high-energy X-rays to be released. A computer analyzes these particles and rays. Then it forms an amazing 3-D image of the specimen. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

A cell phone is like a miniature treasure chest. That’s because it contains many valuable metals—including tiny amounts of the mystery element. This element is used to make circuits that connect a phone’s electrical components. It’s a good conductor, meaning electricity flows easily through it. Other highly conductive metals, like copper (Cu) and silver (Ag), are also used in a cell phone’s wiring. Both are found in the same group, or column, as the mystery element on the periodic table. All done? Score 40 points. Need more help? There’s one last clue.

A cell phone is like a miniature treasure chest. It contains many valuable metals, including tiny amounts of the mystery element. Circuits connect a phone’s electrical parts. This element is used to make the circuits. It’s a good conductor. That means electricity flows easily through it. Copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) are other highly conductive metals. They’re also used in a cell phone’s wiring. These two metals and the mystery element are in the same group, or column, on the periodic table. All done? Score 40 points. Need more help? There’s one last clue

The mystery element, which has 79 protons in its nucleus, is commonly used in jewelry. About half of the mystery element mined each year is used to create these valuable items. In its pure form, the element is malleable. It can easily be scratched, dented, or bent out of shape. To create jewelry that withstands the test of time, the mystery element is often mixed with other metals to create a stronger alloy, or metal mixture. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

This element is commonly used in jewelry. About half of the mystery element mined each year goes into these valuable items. The element has 79 protons in its nucleus, and its pure form is malleable. It can easily be scratched, dented, or bent out of shape. To create long-lasting jewelry, the mystery element is often mixed with other metals. This creates a stronger alloy, or metal mixture. Write down your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.