Name That Element!

Deep beneath Earth’s surface, the mystery element transforms into dazzling diamonds. At temperatures averaging 1,100°C (2,000°F) and under intense pressure of about 54,000 kilograms per square centimeter (770,000 pounds per square inch), the element’s atoms are squeezed together into gemstones. Diamonds’ tightly packed atoms make them the hardest known natural material on Earth. That’s why along with adorning jewelry, diamonds are used to drill, cut, and grind other tough substances. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

The mystery element turns into dazzling diamonds deep beneath Earth’s surface. There, temperatures average 1,100°C (2,000°F). The intense pressure is about 54,000 kilograms per square centimeter (770,000 pounds per square inch). That squeezes the element’s atoms together into gemstones. Diamonds’ atoms are tightly packed. This makes them the hardest known natural material on Earth. That’s why diamonds aren’t just for jewelry. They’re also used to drill, cut, and grind other tough substances. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

Students everywhere scribble notes using this element. That’s because it makes up the graphite in pencils. This material is often incorrectly referred to as lead (Pb)—which is found in the same group, or column, on the periodic table. The mix-up came about because ancient Romans used to write with thin rods of lead. Hundreds of years later, a large deposit of graphite was found in England. People thought it was lead because it also worked well for making marks on paper. This case of mistaken identity persists today. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

Students everywhere use this element to scribble notes. It makes up the graphite in pencils. Often, people incorrectly call this material lead (Pb). Both elements are found in the same group, or column, on the periodic table. Why the mix-up? Ancient Romans wrote with thin rods of lead. Hundreds of years later, people found a large deposit of graphite in England. It also worked well for making marks on paper. So people thought it was lead. This case of mistaken identity continues today. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

This element is the primary building block of all life on Earth. It forms the basic structure of many important biological molecules—two or more atoms joined by a chemical bond. That includes DNA, which carries an organism’s hereditary information. The mystery element needs four additional electrons to be stable. It will bind with up to four other atoms to share their negatively charged particles. That allows it to form many complex molecules vital to all living things, from bacteria to plants to people. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

This element is the main building block of all life on Earth. It forms the basic structure of many important biological molecules. These are two or more atoms joined by a chemical bond. One molecule is DNA. It carries an organism’s hereditary information. The mystery element needs four more electrons to be stable. So it binds with up to four other atoms to share their negatively charged particles. That allows it to form many complex molecules. They’re important to all living things, from bacteria to plants to people. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

Many pro tennis players serve up aces with tennis racquets made from the mystery element. This nonmetal’s atoms—the smallest units of an element—can link up to form long, thin fibers. A material made of these fibers is used to create racquets that are stronger than steel yet extremely light. These properties also make the material ideal for cars and airplanes, as well as other types of sports equipment like snowboards and bicycles. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

How do pro tennis players serve up aces? Many use tennis racquets made from the mystery element. Atoms are the smallest units of an element. This nonmetal’s atoms can link up to form long, thin fibers. A material made of these fibers is used to create racquets. They are stronger than steel but extremely light. Because of these properties, the material is perfect for cars and airplanes. It’s also used in other sports equipment like snowboards and bicycles. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

Burning fossil fuels—such as oil, natural gas, and coal—produces greenhouse gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. One of these gases includes an atom of the mystery element plus two atoms of oxygen (O). Both elements are members of the same period, or row, on the periodic table. Human activities have rapidly increased this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. This is causing temperatures on Earth to rise so much that we are now experiencing climate change. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas, and coal. They produce greenhouse gases when they burn. These gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. One of these gases includes an atom of the mystery element plus two atoms of oxygen (O). Both elements are in the same period, or row, on the periodic table. Because of human activities, this greenhouse gas has quickly increased in the atmosphere. This is causing temperatures on Earth to rise and create climate change. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.