Name That Element!

Long before matches, humans relied on the mystery element to create fires for cooking, warmth, and light. People would strike a piece of the metal iron (Fe) against a chunk of flint. Flint is a type of quartz—a hard, glassy mineral that contains the mystery element (a metalloid). The sharp edge of the flint would shave off tiny bits of iron. They’d react with oxygen (O) in the air and ignite. These sparks could set logs ablaze. Some people still use this age-old method to light campfires today. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

Long before matches, humans needed fires for cooking, warmth, and light. So they relied on the mystery element. People struck a piece of the metal iron (Fe) against a chunk of flint. Flint is a type of quartz. This hard, glassy mineral contains the mystery element (a metalloid). The flint’s sharp edge shaved off tiny bits of iron. They reacted with oxygen (O) in the air and ignited. These sparks could set logs on fire. Some people still use this age-old method to light campfires. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

Bouncy balls get their bounce thanks to the mystery element. It can bond with oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), and carbon (C), which is found in the same group, or column, on the periodic table as the mystery element. That creates a polymer, or large molecule made up of repeating units. The polymer’s chains link together to form an extremely flexible rubberlike material. When a bouncy ball made of this polymer hits the ground, it compresses, storing potential energy. “When it bounces back, it releases that energy,” says Charles Szmanda, a chemist in Massachusetts. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

The mystery element gives bouncy balls their bounce. It can bond with oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), and carbon (C). The mystery element and carbon are in the same group, or column, on the periodic table. The bond creates a polymer, or large molecule of repeating units. The polymer’s chains link together. They form an extremely flexible rubberlike material. When a bouncy ball of this material hits the ground, it compresses and stores potential energy. “When it bounces back, it releases that energy,” says Charles Szmanda. He's a chemist in Massachusetts. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

In its pure form, the mystery element is a solid with a shiny, blue-gray color. It’s used to create compounds that can make your hair shiny too. As a common ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, and styling gels, the mystery element coats hair strands to tame frizz, making hair soft and easier to comb. The coating seals each strand’s cuticle—a hair’s outermost layer—smoothing down its cells, which overlap like shingles. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

In its pure form, the mystery element is a shiny, blue-gray solid. It’s used in compounds that can make your hair shiny too. The mystery element is a common ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, and styling gels. It coats hair strands to tame frizz. That makes hair soft and easier to comb. The coating seals each strand’s cuticle. That’s a hair’s outermost layer. The cuticle’s cells overlap like shingles, and the coating smooths them down. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

We wouldn’t have smartphones or microwaves without the mystery element. No electronics would exist. This element is used in computer chips, circuitry, displays, and more. The mystery element is a semiconductor. Electricity can flow through it only under certain conditions. So it’s good for controlling the electrical current moving through devices. It’s also common in electronics because it’s inexpensive and plentiful. In fact, it’s the second most abundant element in Earth’s crust. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

The mystery element helps keep people safe in a car crash. An electrical signal triggers a vehicle’s airbags to inflate during a crash. This signal travels through connectors. They’re often made of an alloy, or metallic mixture, of the mystery element and the metal copper (Cu). “When you add a little bit of [the mystery element], it makes copper much harder,” says chemist Mark Jones. That makes for sturdy connectors. You can count on them in an emergency. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

If you’ve ever made a sandcastle, then you’ve held the mystery element. It’s the main substance that makes up sand. Most sand starts as granite, a rock rich in quartz. Through a gradual process called weathering, wind and water grind the rock into smaller and smaller particles. When they get to less than 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) across, you’ve got sand grains! Final hint: The mystery element has 14 protons in its nucleus. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

If you have ever made a sandcastle, you have held the mystery element. It’s the main substance in sand. Most sand starts as granite, a rock rich in quartz. Over time, wind and water grind the rock into smaller and smaller particles. This process is called weathering. When the particles are less than 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) across, you have sand grains! Final hint: The mystery element has 14 protons in its nucleus. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.