Name That Element!

The mystery element has been a well-known poison for thousands of years. In ancient Roman and medieval times, high-ranking politicians often used it to kill off their opponents. This nonmetal also makes frequent appearances as the cause of death in crime novels. In its pure form, the mystery element is a shiny gray solid. But it can chemically combine with oxygen (O) to create a colorless, odorless, and tasteless compound. When it’s mixed into food or drinks, it becomes a sneaky mode of murder. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

The mystery element is a famous poison. People have known about it for thousands of years. In ancient Roman and medieval times, high-ranking politicians often killed off their opponents with it. This nonmetal also appears in many crime novels as the cause of death. In its pure form, the mystery element is a shiny gray solid. But it can chemically combine with oxygen (O). The result is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless compound. This compound can be mixed into food or drinks. Then it becomes a sneaky mode of murder. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

The mystery element is found in some medicines prescribed by doctors. That’s because in small doses, it can help save lives, says Justin Wilson, a chemist at Cornell University in New York. Compounds that contain the mystery element were among the first drugs used to treat cancer. Other medicines made with the mystery element help kill heartworms that can infect dogs’ hearts, along with other parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

Doctors prescribe some medicines that contain the mystery element. That’s because in small doses, it can help save lives, says Justin Wilson. He’s a chemist at Cornell University in New York. Compounds of the mystery element were among the first drugs to treat cancer. Other medicines are also made with this element. They help kill heartworms that can infect dogs’ hearts. And they kill parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

The mystery element exists naturally in soil, air, and water everywhere. But some places, like hot springs, contain more of the element than others. High temperatures deep underground can cause minerals containing the mystery element to break down. The element seeps into nearby water, which sometimes rises to Earth’s surface and spews out as a geyser. Yellowstone National Park has more geysers than anywhere else in the world—more than 500. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

The mystery element is everywhere. It exists naturally in soil, air, and water. But some places contain more of the element than others. Hot springs are an example. Deep underground, high temperatures can break down minerals that contain the mystery element. The element seeps into nearby water. Sometimes, the water rises to Earth’s surface and shoots out as a geyser. Yellowstone National Park has more than 500 geysers. That’s more than anywhere else in the world. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

Wooden docks, decks, and picnic tables will eventually rot when left outdoors. That’s why, starting in the 1940s, lumber was often treated with a preservative that contained the mystery element. The chemical compound also contains copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr), both found in the same period, or row, on the periodic table as the mystery element. The preservative was later found to pose a risk to people and the environment. Health officials were concerned mostly for young children who might touch the treated wood and then put their hands in their mouths, ingesting the toxic element. In the 2000s, manufacturers stopped making this treated lumber for home use. Unfortunately, it can still be found in older outdoor structures. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

Many docks, decks, and picnic tables are made of wood. Outdoors, they will rot over time. So in the 1940s, people began to treat lumber with a preservative. It contained the mystery element. The chemical compound also contains copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr). These elements and the mystery element are in the same period, or row, on the periodic table. Later, the preservative was found to be risky for people and the environment. Health officials were concerned mostly for young children. They might touch the treated wood and put their hands in their mouths. Then they could ingest the toxic element. In the 2000s, manufacturers stopped making this treated lumber for home use. But it’s still found in older outdoor structures. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

Before the 1980s, some fireworks got their color from a compound made with the mystery element. When burned, it produced a blue hue that lit up the sky. Because the mystery element is extremely toxic, the U.S. government has since banned its use in fireworks. The same compound was also previously used as a pesticide and rat poison. Today blue fireworks are made with compounds that contain copper and bromine (Br). Bromine has two more protons in its nucleus than the mystery element. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

Before the 1980s, a compound of the mystery element gave some fireworks their color. When the compound burned, it appeared blue. The color lit up the sky. But the mystery element is extremely toxic. So the U.S. government banned its use in fireworks. In the past, the same compound was used as a pesticide and rat poison. Today blue fireworks are made with compounds of copper and bromine (Br). Bromine has two more protons in its nucleus than the mystery element. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.