Name That Element!

The mystery element is the most abundant element in the universe. It’s the main component of stars, like our sun. In a star’s core, or center, intense heat and pressure cause atoms of the mystery element to merge and form helium (He). This process, called nuclear fusion, releases a huge amount of energy as light and heat. “[The mystery element] is the fuel source of the universe,” says Chad Madsen, an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

The mystery element is the most abundant element in the universe. It’s the main component of stars, like our sun. Atoms of this element are under intense heat and pressure in a star’s core, or center. That causes them to merge and form helium (He). This process is called nuclear fusion. It releases a huge amount of energy as light and heat. “[The mystery element] is the fuel source of the universe,” says Chad Madsen. He’s an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts. Game over already? Score 100 points. If not, read clue 2.

On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg—a luxury floating airship—suddenly burst into flames over an airfield in New Jersey. The Hindenburg had been filled with the mystery element. This extremely light gas provided the buoyancy needed to lift the ship. Unfortunately, the gas is also highly flammable. The tiniest spark can cause it to ignite. Miraculously, 62 of the Hindenburg’s 97 passengers and crew survived. But the disaster ended the era of airship travel. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

The Hindenburg was a luxury floating airship. On May 6, 1937, it suddenly burst into flames over an airfield in New Jersey. The Hindenburg had been filled with the mystery element. This element is an extremely light gas. It provided the buoyancy to lift the ship. But the gas is also highly flammable. The tiniest spark can ignite it. The Hindenburg was carrying 97 passengers and crew. Surprisingly, 62 of them survived. But the disaster ended the era of airship travel. Figured it out? Score 80 points. Still playing? Check out clue 3.

Yellowstone National Park is home to hundreds of rainbow-hued hot springs. They’re filled with water heated by volcanic activity underground. This activity also causes chemical reactions that release the mystery element. The element is the main energy source for thermophiles, which thrive at temperatures greater than 70°C (158°F). These microbes contain colored pigments, creating the hot springs’ vibrant shades of blue, green, and orange. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

Yellowstone National Park has hundreds of rainbow-colored hot springs. Underground volcanic activity heats the water in these springs. This activity also causes chemical reactions that release the mystery element. The element is the main energy source for thermophiles. These microbes thrive at temperatures above 70°C (158°F). They contain colored pigments. That creates the hot springs’ bright shades of blue, green, and orange. Got it? Score 60 points. Not sure? Try the next clue.

The oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice that cover 71 percent of Earth’s surface hold most of the mystery element on our planet. Two atoms of the mystery element bond with one atom of oxygen (O) to form water. (Oxygen is found one period, or row, below that of the mystery element.) Water is necessary for life as we know it. “All life on Earth has water in it—from single-celled organisms to the human body,” says Alta Howells, an  astrobiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

Oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice cover 71 percent of Earth’s surface. They hold most of the mystery element on our planet. Two mystery element atoms bond with one oxygen (O) atom. The result is water. (Oxygen is in the period, or row, below the mystery element.) Water is necessary for life as we know it. “All life on Earth has water in it—from single-celled organisms to the human body,” says Alta Howells. She’s an astrobiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. All done? Score 40 points. Still need help? There’s one last clue.

In 1913, Danish physicist Niels Bohr used the mystery element as the basis for a new model describing the structure of atoms (see p. 22). It proposed that electrons travel around an atom’s nucleus in fixed orbits, called electron shells. Today scientists know that the movement of electrons is much more complex. But Bohr’s model is still used in classrooms as a simple way to introduce atomic structure. The mystery element has just one electron in its outermost shell, like all Group 1 elements on the periodic table. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.

In 1913, Danish physicist Niels Bohr proposed a new model of the structure of atoms. He based it on the mystery element. In his model, electrons travel around an atom’s nucleus in fixed orbits. They’re called electron shells. Today, scientists know more about the movement of electrons. It’s much more complex. But Bohr’s model is still used in classrooms. It’s a simple way to introduce atomic structure. The mystery element has just one electron in its outermost shell. So do the other Group 1 elements on the periodic table. Write your answer and score 20 points. Then continue.