abstract elements = open Merge in { -- Silvery radioactive metallic element, belongs to -- group 3 of the periodic table. The most stable isotope, Ac_227, has a -- half_life of 217 years. Ac_228 (half_life of 6.13 hours) also occurs in -- nature. There are 22 other artificial isotopes, all radioactive and -- having very short half_lives. Chemistry similar to lanthanum. Used as a -- source of alpha particles. Discovered by A. Debierne in 1899. fun Actinium : Class ; fun Actinium_Class : SubClass Actinium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_white lustrous metallic element of group -- 3 of the periodic table. Highly reactive but protected by a thin -- transparent layer of the oxide which quickly forms in air. There are many -- alloys of aluminum, as well as a good number of industrial uses. Makes up -- 8.1 percent of the Earth's crust, by weight. Isolated in 1825 by H.C. -- Oersted. fun Aluminum : Class ; fun Aluminum_Class : SubClass Aluminum ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element, -- belongs to the actinoids. Ten known isotopes. Am_243 is the most stable -- isotope, with a half_life of 7.95*10^3 years. Discovered by Glenn T. -- Seaborg and associates in 1945, it was obtained by bombarding -- {uranium}_238 with alpha particles. fun Americium : Class ; fun Americium_Class : SubClass Americium ElementalSubstance ; -- Element of group 15. Multiple allotropic forms. -- The stable form of antimony is a blue_white metal. Yellow and black -- antimony are unstable non_metals. Used in flame_proofing, paints, -- ceramics, enamels, and rubber. Attacked by oxidizing acids and halogens. -- First reported by Tholden in 1450. fun Antimony : Class ; fun Antimony_Class : SubClass Antimony ElementalSubstance ; -- Monatomic noble gas. Makes up 0.93 percent of the -- air. Colourless, odorless. Is inert and has no true compounds. Lord -- Rayleigh and Sir william Ramsey identified argon in 1894. fun Argon : Class ; fun Argon_Class : SubClass Argon ElementalSubstance ; -- Metalloid element of group 15. There are three -- allotropes, yellow, black, and grey. Reacts with halogens, concentrated -- oxidizing acids and hot alkalis. Albertus Magnus is believed to have been -- the first to isolate the element in 1250. fun Arsenic : Class ; fun Arsenic_Class : SubClass Arsenic ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive halogen element. Occurs naturally -- from uranium and thorium decay. At least 20 known isotopes. At_210, the -- most stable, has a half_life of 8.3 hours. Synthesized by nuclear -- bombardment in 1940 by D.R. Corson, K.R. MacKenzie and E. Segre at the -- University of California. fun Astatine : Class ; fun Astatine_Class : SubClass Astatine ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_white reactive element, belonging to group -- 2 of the periodic table. Soluble barium compounds are extremely -- poisonous. Identified in 1774 by Karl Scheele and extracted in 1808 by -- Humphry Davy. fun Barium : Class ; fun Barium_Class : SubClass Barium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element. -- Belongs to actinoid series. Eight known isotopes, the most common Bk_247, -- has a half_life of 1.4*10^3 years. First produced by Glenn T. Seaborg -- and associates in 1949 by bombarding americium_241 with alpha -- particles. fun Berkelium : Class ; fun Berkelium_Class : SubClass Berkelium ElementalSubstance ; -- Grey metallic element of group 2 of the periodic -- table. Is toxic and can cause severe lung diseases and dermatitis. Shows -- high covalent character. It was isolated independently by F. Wohler and -- A.A. Bussy in 1828. fun Beryllium : Class ; fun Beryllium_Class : SubClass Beryllium ElementalSubstance ; -- White crystalline metal with a pink tinge, belongs -- to group 15. Most diamagnetic of all metals and has the lowest thermal -- conductivity of all the elements except mercury. Lead_free bismuth -- compounds are used in cosmetics and medical procedures. Burns in the air -- and produces a blue flame. In 1753, C.G. Junine first demonstrated that -- it was different from lead. fun Bismuth : Class ; fun Bismuth_Class : SubClass Bismuth ElementalSubstance ; -- An element of group 13 of the periodic table. There -- are two allotropes, amorphous boron is a brown power, but metallic boron -- is black. The metallic form is hard (9.3 on Mohs' scale) and a bad -- conductor in room temperatures. It is never found free in nature. -- Boron_10 is used in nuclear reactor control rods and shields. It was -- discovered in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy and by J.L. Gay_Lussac and L.J. -- Thenard. fun Boron : Class ; fun Boron_Class : SubClass Boron ElementalSubstance ; -- Halogen element. Red volatile liquid at room -- temperature. Its reactivity is somewhere between chlorine and iodine. -- Harmful to human tissue in a liquid state, the vapour irritates eyes and -- throat. Discovered in 1826 by Antoine Balard. fun Bromine : Class ; fun Bromine_Class : SubClass Bromine ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft bluish metal belonging to group 12 of the -- periodic table. Extremely toxic even in low concentrations. Chemically -- similar to zinc, but lends itself to more complex compounds. Discovered -- in 1817 by F. Stromeyer. fun Cadmium : Class ; fun Cadmium_Class : SubClass Cadmium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery_white metallic element belonging to -- group 1 of the periodic table. One of the three metals which are liquid -- at room temperature. Cs_133 is the natural, and only stable, isotope. -- Fifteen other radioisotopes exist. Caesium reacts explosively with cold -- water, and ice at temperatures above 157K. Caesium hydroxide is the -- strongest base known. Caesium is the most electropositive, most alkaline -- and has the least ionization potential of all the elements. Known uses -- include the basis of atomic clocks, catalyst for the hydrogenation of some -- organic compounds, and in photoelectric cells. Caesium was discovered by -- Gustav Kirchoff and Robert Bunsen in Germany in 1860 spectroscopically. -- Its identification was based upon the bright blue lines in its spectrum. -- The name comes from the latin word caesius, which means sky blue. Caesium -- should be considered highly toxic. Some of the radioisotopes are even -- more toxic. fun Caesium : Class ; fun Caesium_Class : SubClass Caesium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft grey metallic element belonging to group 2 of -- the periodic table. Used a reducing agent in the extraction of thorium, -- zirconium and uranium. Essential element for living organisms. fun Calcium : Class ; fun Calcium_Class : SubClass Calcium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element. -- Belongs to actinoid series. Cf_251 has a half life of about 700 years. -- Nine isotopes are known. Cf_252 is an intense {neutron} source, which -- makes it an intense {neutron} source and gives it a use in {neutron} -- activation analysis and a possible use as a radiation source in medicine. -- First produced by Glenn T. Seaborg and associates in 1950. fun Californium : Class ; fun Californium_Class : SubClass Californium ElementalSubstance ; -- Carbon is a member of group 14 of the periodic -- table. It has three allotropic forms of it, diamonds, graphite and -- fullerite. Carbon_14 is commonly used in radioactive dating. Carbon -- occurs in all organic life and is the basis of organic chemistry. Carbon -- has the interesting chemical property of being able to bond with itself, -- and a wide variety of other elements. fun Carbon : Class ; fun Carbon_Class : SubClass Carbon ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery metallic element, belongs to the -- lanthanoids. Four natural isotopes exist, and fifteen radioactive -- isotopes have been identified. Used in some rare_earth alloys. The -- oxidized form is used in the glass industry. Discovered by Martin .H. -- Klaproth in 1803. fun Cerium : Class ; fun Cerium_Class : SubClass Cerium ElementalSubstance ; -- Halogen element. Poisonous greenish_yellow gas. -- Occurs widely in nature as sodium chloride in seawater. Reacts directly -- with many elements and compounds, strong oxidizing agent. Discovered by -- Karl Scheele in 1774. Humphrey David confirmed it as an element in -- 1810. fun Chlorine : Class ; fun Chlorine_Class : SubClass Chlorine ElementalSubstance ; -- Hard silvery transition element. Used in -- decorative electroplating. Discovered in 1797 by Vauquelin. fun Chromium : Class ; fun Chromium_Class : SubClass Chromium ElementalSubstance ; -- Light grey transition element. Some meteorites -- contain small amounts of metallic cobalt. Generally alloyed for use. -- Mammals require small amounts of cobalt salts. Cobalt_60, an artificially -- produced radioactive isotope of Cobalt is an important radioactive tracer -- and cancer_treatment agent. Discovered by G. Brandt in 1737. fun Cobalt : Class ; fun Cobalt_Class : SubClass Cobalt ElementalSubstance ; -- Red_brown transition element. Known by the Romans -- as 'cuprum.' Extracted and used for thousands of years. Malleable, -- ductile and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. When in moist -- conditions, a greenish layer forms on the outside. fun Copper : Class ; fun Copper_Class : SubClass Copper ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element. Belongs -- to actinoid series. Nine known isotopes, Cm_247 has a half_life of -- 1.64*10^7 years. First identified by Glenn T. Seaborg and associates in -- 1944, first produced by L.B. Werner and I. Perlman in 1947 by bombarding -- americium_241 with {neutron}s. Named for Marie Curie. fun Curium : Class ; fun Curium_Class : SubClass Curium ElementalSubstance ; -- Metallic with a bright silvery_white lustre. -- Dysprosium belongs to the lanthanoids. It is relatively stable in air at -- room temperatures, it will however dissolve in mineral acids, evolving -- hydrogen. It is found in from rare_earth minerals. There are seven -- natural isotopes of dysprosium, and eight radioisotopes, Dy_154 being the -- most stable with a half_life of 3*10^6 years. Dysprosium is used as a -- neutron absorber in nuclear fission reactions, and in compact disks. It -- was discovered by Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1886 in France. Its -- name comes from the Greek word dysprositos, which means hard to obtain. fun Dysprosium : Class ; fun Dysprosium_Class : SubClass Dysprosium ElementalSubstance ; -- Appearance is unknown, however it is most -- probably metallic and silver or gray in color. Radioactive metallic -- transuranic element belonging to the actinoids. Es_254 has the longest -- half_life of the eleven known isotopes at 270 days. First identified by -- Albert Ghiorso and associates in the debris of the 1952 hydrogen bomb -- explosion. In 1961 the first microgram quantities of Es_232 were -- separated. While einsteinium never exists naturally, if a sufficient -- amount was assembled, it would pose a radiation hazard. fun Einsteinium : Class ; fun Einsteinium_Class : SubClass Einsteinium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element which belongs to the -- lanthanoids. Six natural isotopes that are stable. Twelve artificial -- isotopes are known. Used in nuclear technology as a neutron absorber. It -- is being investigated for other possible uses. Discovered by Carl G. -- Mosander in 1843. fun Erbium : Class ; fun Erbium_Class : SubClass Erbium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element belonging to the -- lanthanoids. Eu_151 and Eu_153 are the only two stable isotopes, both of -- which are {neutron} absorbers. Discovered in 1889 by Sir William -- Crookes. fun Europium : Class ; fun Europium_Class : SubClass Europium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element, belongs -- to the actinoids. Ten known isotopes, most stable is Fm_257 with a -- half_life of 10 days. First identified by Albert Ghiorso and associates -- in the debris of the first hydrogen_bomb explosion in 1952. fun Fermium : Class ; fun Fermium_Class : SubClass Fermium ElementalSubstance ; -- A poisonous pale yellow gaseous element belonging -- to group 17 of the periodic table (The halogens). It is the most -- chemically reactive and electronegative element. It is highly dangerous, -- causing severe chemical burns on contact with flesh. Fluorine was -- identified by Scheele in 1771 and first isolated by Moissan in 1886. fun Fluorine : Class ; fun Fluorine_Class : SubClass Fluorine ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive element, belongs to group 1 of the -- periodic table. Found in uranium and thorium ores. The 22 known isotopes -- are all radioactive, with the most stable being Fr_223. Its existence was -- confirmed in 1939 by Marguerite Perey. fun Francium : Class ; fun Francium_Class : SubClass Francium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element belonging to the -- lanthanoids. Seven natural, stable isotopes are known in addition to -- eleven artificial isotopes. Gd_155 and Gd_157 and the best neutron -- absorbers of all elements. Gadolinium compounds are used in electronics. -- Discovered by J.C.G Marignac in 1880. fun Gadolinium : Class ; fun Gadolinium_Class : SubClass Gadolinium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element, belongs to group 13 -- of the periodic table. The two stable isotopes are Ga_69 and Ga_71. -- Eight radioactive isotopes are known, all having short half_lives. -- Gallium Arsenide is used as a semiconductor. Corrodes most other metals -- by diffusing into their lattice. First identified by Francois Lecoq de -- Boisbaudran in 1875. fun Gallium : Class ; fun Gallium_Class : SubClass Gallium ElementalSubstance ; -- Lustrous hard metalloid element, belongs to -- group 14 of the periodic table. Forms a large number of organometallic -- compounds. Predicted by Mendeleev in 1871, it was actually found in 1886 -- by Winkler. fun Germanium : Class ; fun Germanium_Class : SubClass Germanium ElementalSubstance ; -- Gold is gold colored. It is the most malleable and -- ductile metal known. There is only one stable isotope of gold, and five -- radioisotopes of gold, Au_195 being the most stable with a half_life of -- 186 days. Gold is used as a monetary standard, in jewelry, dentistry, -- electronics. Au_198 is used in treating cancer and some other medical -- conditions. Gold has been known to exist as far back as 2600 BC. Gold -- comes from the Anglo_Saxon word gold. Its symbol, Au, comes from the -- Latin word aurum, which means gold. Gold is not particularly toxic, -- however it is known to cause damage to the liver and kidneys in some. fun Gold : Class ; fun Gold_Class : SubClass Gold ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery lustrous metallic transition element. -- Used in tungsten alloys in filaments and electrodes, also acts as a -- neutron absorber. First reported by Urbain in 1911, existence was finally -- established in 1923 by D. Coster, G.C. de Hevesy in 1923. fun Hafnium : Class ; fun Hafnium_Class : SubClass Hafnium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colourless, odourless gaseous nonmetallic element. -- Belongs to group 18 of the periodic table. Lowest boiling point of all -- elements and can only be solidified under pressure. Chemically inert, no -- known compounds. Discovered in the solar spectrum in 1868 by Lockyer. fun Helium : Class ; fun Helium_Class : SubClass Helium ElementalSubstance ; -- Relatively soft and malleable silvery_white -- metallic element, which is stable in dry air at room temperature. It -- oxidizes in moist air and at high temperatures. It belongs to the -- lanthanoids. A rare_earth metal, it is found in the minerals monazite and -- gadolinite. It possesses unusual magnetic properties. One natural -- isotope, Ho_165 exists, six radioisotopes exist, the most stable being -- Ho_163 with a half_life of 4570 years. Holmium is used in some metal -- alloys, it is also said to stimulate the metabolism. Discovered by Per -- Theodor Cleve and J.L. Soret in Switzerland in 1879. The name homium -- comes from the Greek word Holmia which means Sweden. While all holmium -- compounds should be considered highly toxic, initial evidence seems to -- indicate that they do not pose much danger. The metal's dust however, is -- a fire hazard. fun Holmium : Class ; fun Holmium_Class : SubClass Holmium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colourless, odourless gaseous chemical element. -- Lightest and most abundant element in the universe. Present in water and -- in all organic compounds. Chemically reacts with most elements. -- Discovered by Henry Cavendish in 1776. fun Hydrogen : Class ; fun Hydrogen_Class : SubClass Hydrogen ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery element belonging to group 13 of the -- periodic table. The most common natural isotope is In_115, which has a -- half_life of 6*10^4 years. Five other radioisotopes exist. Discovered in -- 1863 by Reich and Richter. fun Indium : Class ; fun Indium_Class : SubClass Indium ElementalSubstance ; -- Dark violet nonmetallic element, belongs to group -- 17 of the periodic table. Insoluble in water. Required as a trace -- element for living organisms. One stable isotope, I_127 exists, in -- addition to fourteen radioactive isotopes. Chemically the least reactive -- of the halogens, and the most electropositive metallic halogen. -- Discovered in 1812 by Courtois. fun Iodine : Class ; fun Iodine_Class : SubClass Iodine ElementalSubstance ; -- Very hard and brittle, silvery metallic transition -- element. It has a yellowish cast to it. Salts of iridium are highly -- colored. It is the most corrosion resistant metal known, not attacked by -- any acid, but is attacked by molten salts. There are two natural isotopes -- of iridium, and 4 radioisotopes, the most stable being Ir_192 with a -- half_life of 73.83 days. Ir_192 decays into {platinum}, while the other -- radioisotopes decay into {osmium}. Iridium is used in high temperature -- apparatus, electrical contacts, and as a hardening agent for platinum. -- Discovered in 1803 by Smithson Tennant in England. The name comes from -- the Greek word iris, which means rainbow. Iridium metal is generally -- non_toxic due to its relative unreactivity, but iridium compounds should -- be considered highly toxic. fun Iridium : Class ; fun Iridium_Class : SubClass Iridium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery malleable and ductile metallic transition -- element. Has nine isotopes and is the fourth most abundant element in the -- earth's crust. Required by living organisms as a trace element (used in -- hemoglobin in humans.) Quite reactive, oxidizes in moist air, displaces -- hydrogen from dilute acids and combines with nonmetallic elements. fun Iron : Class ; fun Iron_Class : SubClass Iron ElementalSubstance ; -- Colorless gaseous element, belongs to the noble -- gases. Occurs in the air, 0.0001 percent by volume. It can be extracted -- from liquid air by fractional distillation. Generally not isolated, but -- used with other inert gases in fluorescent lamps. Five natural isotopes, -- and five radioactive isotopes. Kr_85, the most stable radioactive -- isotope, has a half_life of 10.76 years and is produced in fission -- reactors. Practically inert, though known to form compounds with -- {fluorine}. fun Krypton : Class ; fun Krypton_Class : SubClass Krypton ElementalSubstance ; -- (From the Greek word lanthanein, to line hidden) -- Silvery metallic element belonging to group 3 of the periodic table and -- oft considered to be one of the lanthanoids. Found in some rare_earth -- minerals. Twenty_five natural isotopes exist. La_139 which is stable, -- and La_138 which has a half_life of 10^10 to 10^15 years. The other -- twenty_three isotopes are radioactive. It resembles the lanthanoids -- chemically. Lanthanum has a low to moderate level of toxicity, and should -- be handled with care. Discovered in 1839 by C.G. Mosander. fun Lanthanum : Class ; fun Lanthanum_Class : SubClass Lanthanum ElementalSubstance ; -- Appearance unknown, however it is most likely -- silvery_white or grey and metallic. Lawrencium is a synthetic rare_earth -- metal. There are eight known radioisotopes, the most stable being Lr_262 -- with a half_life of 3.6 hours. Due to the short half_life of lawrencium, -- and its radioactivity, there are no known uses for it. Identified by -- Albert Ghiorso in 1961 at Berkeley. It was produced by bombarding -- californium with boron ions. The name is temporary {IUPAC} nomenclature, -- the origin of the name comes from Ernest O. Lawrence, the inventor of the -- cyclotron. If sufficient amounts of lawrencium were produced, it would -- pose a radiation hazard. fun Lawrencium : Class ; fun Lawrencium_Class : SubClass Lawrencium ElementalSubstance ; -- Heavy dull grey ductile metallic element, belongs to -- group 14. Used in building construction, lead_place accumulators, bullets -- and shot, and is part of solder, pewter, bearing metals, type metals and -- fusible alloys. fun Lead : Class ; fun Lead_Class : SubClass Lead ElementalSubstance ; -- Socket silvery metal. First member of group 1 of -- the periodic table. Lithium salts are used in psychomedicine. fun Lithium : Class ; fun Lithium_Class : SubClass Lithium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_white rare_earth metal which is -- relatively stable in air. It happens to be the most expensive rare_earth -- metal. Its found with almost all rare_earth metals, but is very difficult -- to separate from other elements. Least abundant of all natural elements. -- Used in metal alloys, and as a catalyst in various processes. There are -- two natural, stable isotopes, and seven radioisotopes, the most stable -- being Lu_174 with a half_life of 3.3 years. The separation of lutetium -- from {ytterbium} was described by Georges Urbain in 1907. It was -- discovered at approximately the same time by Carl Auer von Welsbach. The -- name comes from the Greek word lutetia which means Paris. fun Lutetium : Class ; fun Lutetium_Class : SubClass Lutetium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery metallic element belonging to group 2 of -- the periodic table (alkaline_earth metals). It is essential for living -- organisms, and is used in a number of light alloys. Chemically very -- reactive, it forms a protective oxide coating when exposed to air and -- burns with an intense white flame. It also reacts with sulphur, nitrogen -- and the halogens. First isolated by Bussy in 1828. fun Magnesium : Class ; fun Magnesium_Class : SubClass Magnesium ElementalSubstance ; -- Grey brittle metallic transition element. -- Rather electropositive, combines with some non_metals when heated. -- Discovered in 1774 by Scheele. fun Manganese : Class ; fun Manganese_Class : SubClass Manganese ElementalSubstance ; -- Half_life of approximately 5ms. The creation -- of this element demonstrated that fusion techniques could indeed be used -- to make new, heavy nuclei. Made and identified by physicists of the Heavy -- Ion Research Laboratory, Darmstadt, West Germany in 1982. Named in honor -- of Lise Meitner the Austrian physicist. fun Meitnerium : Class ; fun Meitnerium_Class : SubClass Meitnerium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element. -- Belongs to the actinoid series. Only known isotope, Md_256 has a -- half_life of 1.3 hours. First identified by Glenn T. Seaborg, Albert -- Ghiorso and associates in 1955. Alternative name {unnilunium} has been -- proposed. Named after the 'inventor' of the periodic table, Dmitri -- Mendeleev. fun Mendelevium : Class ; fun Mendelevium_Class : SubClass Mendelevium ElementalSubstance ; -- Heavy silvery liquid metallic element, belongs to -- the zinc group. Used in thermometers, barometers and other scientific -- apparatus. Less reactive than zinc and cadmium, does not displace -- hydrogen from acids. Forms a number of complexes and organomercury -- compounds. fun Mercury : Class ; fun Mercury_Class : SubClass Mercury ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_white, hard metallic transition -- element. It is chemically unreactive and is not affected by most acids. -- It oxidizes at high temperatures. There are seven natural isotopes, and -- four radioisotopes, Mo_93 being the most stable with a half_life of 3500 -- years. Molybdenum is used in almost all high_strength steels, it has -- nuclear applications, and is a catalyst in petroleum refining. Discovered -- in 1778 by Carl Welhelm Scheele of Sweden. Impure metal was prepared in -- 1782 by Peter Jacob Hjelm. The name comes from the Greek word molybdos -- which means lead. Trace amounts of molybdenum are required for all known -- forms of life. All molybdenum compounds should be considered highly -- toxic, and will also cause severe birth defects. fun Molybdenum : Class ; fun Molybdenum_Class : SubClass Molybdenum ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft bright silvery metallic element, belongs to -- the lanthanoids. Seven natural isotopes, Nd_144 being the only -- radioactive one with a half_life of 10^10 to 10^15 years. Six artificial -- radioisotopes have been produced. The metal is used in glass works to -- color class a shade of violet_purple and make it dichroic. One of the -- more reactive rare_earth metals, quickly reacts with air. Used in some -- rare_earth alloys. Neodymium is used to color the glass used in welder's -- glasses. Neodymium is also used in very powerful, permanent magnets -- (Nd2Fe14B). Discovered by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach in Austria in 1885 -- by separating didymium into its elemental components {praseodymium} and -- neodymium. The name comes from the Greek words 'neos didymos' which means -- 'new twin'. Neodymium should be considered highly toxic, however evidence -- would seem to show that it acts as little more than a skin and eye -- irritant. The dust however, presents a fire and explosion hazard. fun Neodymium : Class ; fun Neodymium_Class : SubClass Neodymium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colourless gaseous element of group 18 on the -- periodic table (noble gases). Neon occurs in the atmosphere, and -- comprises 0.0018 percent of the volume of the atmosphere. It has a -- distinct reddish glow when used in discharge tubes and neon based lamps. -- It forms almost no chemical compounds. Neon was discovered in 1898 by Sir -- William Ramsey and M.W. Travers. fun Neon : Class ; fun Neon_Class : SubClass Neon ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element, -- belongs to the actinoids. Np_237, the most stable isotope, has a -- half_life of 2.2*10^6 years and is a by product of nuclear reactors. The -- other known isotopes have mass numbers 229 through 236, and 238 through -- 241. Np_236 has a half_life of 5*10^3 years. First produced by Edwin M. -- McMillan and P.H. Abelson in 1940. fun Neptunium : Class ; fun Neptunium_Class : SubClass Neptunium ElementalSubstance ; -- Malleable ductile silvery metallic transition -- element. Discovered by A.F. Cronstedt in 1751. fun Nickel : Class ; fun Nickel_Class : SubClass Nickel ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft, ductile grey_blue metallic transition -- element. Used in special steels and in welded joints to increase -- strength. Combines with halogens and oxidizes in air at 200 degrees -- celsius. Discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801 and isolated by -- Blomstrand in 1864. Called {columbium} originally. fun Niobium : Class ; fun Niobium_Class : SubClass Niobium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colourless, gaseous element which belongs to -- group 15 of the periodic table. Constitutes ~78 percent of the atmosphere -- and is an essential part of the ecosystem. Nitrogen for industrial -- purposes is acquired by the fractional distillation of liquid air. -- Chemically inactive, reactive generally only at high temperatures or in -- electrical discharges. It was discovered in 1772 by D. Rutherford. fun Nitrogen : Class ; fun Nitrogen_Class : SubClass Nitrogen ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element, belongs -- to the actinoids. Seven known isotopes exist, the most stable being -- No_254 with a half_life of 255 seconds. First identified with certainty -- by Albert Ghiorso and Glenn T. Seaborg in 1966. {Unnilbium} has been -- proposed as an alternative name. fun Nobelium : Class ; fun Nobelium_Class : SubClass Nobelium ElementalSubstance ; -- Hard blue_white metallic transition element. Found -- with platinum and used in some alloys with platinum and iridium. fun Osmium : Class ; fun Osmium_Class : SubClass Osmium ElementalSubstance ; -- A colourless, odourless gaseous element belonging -- to group 16 of the periodic table. It is the most abundant element -- present in the earth's crust. It also makes up 20.8 percent of the -- Earth's atmosphere. For industrial purposes, it is separated from liquid -- air by fractional distillation. It is used in high temperature welding, -- and in breathing. It commonly comes in the form of Oxygen, but is found -- as Ozone in the upper atmosphere. It was discovered by Priestley in -- 1774. fun Oxygen : Class ; fun Oxygen_Class : SubClass Oxygen ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft white ductile transition element. Found -- with some copper and nickel ores. Does not react with oxygen at normal -- temperatures. Dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid. Discovered in 1803 -- by W.H. Wollaston. fun Palladium : Class ; fun Palladium_Class : SubClass Palladium ElementalSubstance ; -- Non_metallic element belonging to group 15 of -- the periodic table. Has a multiple allotropic forms. Essential element -- for living organisms. It was discovered by Brandt in 1669. fun Phosphorus : Class ; fun Phosphorus_Class : SubClass Phosphorus ElementalSubstance ; -- Attractive greyish_white metal. When pure, it is -- malleable and ductile. Does not oxidize in air, insoluble in hydrochloric -- and nitric acid. Corroded by halogens, cyandies, sulphur and alkalis. -- {Hydrogen} and {oxygen} react explosively in the presence of platinum. -- There are six stable isotopes and three radioisotopes, the most stable -- being Pt_193 with a half_life of 60 years. Platinum is used in jewelry, -- laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, dentistry, and anti_pollution -- devices in cars. PtCl2(NH3)2 is used to treat some forms of cancer. -- Platinum_{cobalt} alloys have magnetic properties. It is also used in the -- definition of the Standard Hydrogen Electrode. Discovered by Antonio de -- Ulloa in South America in 1735. The name comes from the Spanish word -- platina which means silver. Platinum metal is generally not a health -- concern due to its unreactivity, however platinum compounds should be -- considered highly toxic. fun Platinum : Class ; fun Platinum_Class : SubClass Platinum ElementalSubstance ; -- Dense silvery radioactive metallic transuranic -- element, belongs to the actinoids. Pu_244 is the most stable isotope with -- a half_life of 7.6*10^7 years. Thirteen isotopes are known. Pu_239 is -- the most important, it undergoes nuclear fission with slow neutrons and is -- hence important to nuclear weapons and reactors. Plutonium production is -- monitored down to the gram to prevent military misuse. First produced by -- Gleen T. Seaborg, Edwin M. McMillan, J.W. Kennedy and A.C. Wahl in -- 1940. fun Plutonium : Class ; fun Plutonium_Class : SubClass Plutonium ElementalSubstance ; -- Rare radioactive metallic element, belongs to -- group 16 of the periodic table. Over 30 known isotopes exist, the most of -- all elements. Po_209 has a half_life of 103 years. Possible uses in -- heating spacecraft. Discovered by Marie Curie in 1898 in a sample of -- pitchblende. fun Polonium : Class ; fun Polonium_Class : SubClass Polonium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element belonging to group -- 1 of the periodic table (alkali metals). Occurs naturally in seawater and -- a many minerals. Highly reactive, chemically, it resembles sodium in its -- behavior and compounds. Discovered by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807. fun Potassium : Class ; fun Potassium_Class : SubClass Potassium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element, belongs to the -- lanthanoids. Only natural isotope is Pr_141 which is not radioactive. -- Fourteen radioactive isotopes have been artificially produced. Used in -- rare_earth alloys. Discovered in 1885 by C.A. von Welsbach. fun Praseodymium : Class ; fun Praseodymium_Class : SubClass Praseodymium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element, belongs to the -- lanthanoids. Pm_147, the only natural isotope, is radioactive and has a -- half_life of 252 years. Eighteen radioisotopes have been produced, but -- all have very short half_lives. Found only in nuclear decay waste. -- Pm_147 is of interest as a beta_decay source, however Pm_146 and Pm_148 -- have to be removed from it first, as they generate gamma radiation. -- Discovered by J.A. Marinsky, L.E. Glendenin and C.D. Coryell in -- 1947. fun Promethium : Class ; fun Promethium_Class : SubClass Promethium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic element, belongs to the -- actinoids. The most stable isotope, Pa_231 has a half_life of 2.43*10^4 -- years. At least 10 other radioactive isotopes are known. No practical -- applications are known. Discovered in 1917 by Lise Meitner and Otto -- Hahn. fun Protactinium : Class ; fun Protactinium_Class : SubClass Protactinium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transuranic element, belongs -- to group 2 of the periodic table. Most stable isotope, Ra_226 has a -- half_life of 1602 years, which decays into radon. Isolated from -- pitchblende in 1898 Marie and Pierre Curie. fun Radium : Class ; fun Radium_Class : SubClass Radium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colorless radioactive gaseous element, belongs to -- the noble gases. Of the twenty known isotopes, the most stable is Rn_222 -- with a half_life of 3.8 days. Formed by the radioactive decay of -- {Radium}_226. Radon itself decays into {polonium}. Used in radiotherapy. -- As a noble gas, it is effectively inert, though radon fluoride has been -- synthesized. First isolated in 1908 by Ramsey and Gray. fun Radon : Class ; fun Radon_Class : SubClass Radon ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_white metallic transition element. -- Obtained as a by_product of molybdenum refinement. Rhenium_molybdenum -- alloys are superconducting. fun Rhenium : Class ; fun Rhenium_Class : SubClass Rhenium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery white metallic transition element. Found -- with platinum and used in some platinum alloys. Not attacked by acids, -- dissolves only in aqua regia. Discovered in 1803 by W.H. Wollaston. fun Rhodium : Class ; fun Rhodium_Class : SubClass Rhodium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element, belongs to group 1 -- of the periodic table. Rb_97, the naturally occurring isotope, is -- radioactive. It is highly reactive, with properties similar to other -- elements in group 1, like igniting spontaneously in air. Discovered -- spectroscopically in 1861 by W. Bunsen and G.R. Kirchoff. fun Rubidium : Class ; fun Rubidium_Class : SubClass Rubidium ElementalSubstance ; -- Hard white metallic transition element. Found -- with platinum, used as a catalyst in some platinum alloys. Dissolves in -- fused alkalis, and is not attacked by acids. Reacts with halogens and -- oxygen at high temperatures. Isolated in 1844 by K.K. Klaus. fun Ruthenium : Class ; fun Ruthenium_Class : SubClass Ruthenium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery metallic element, belongs to the -- lanthanoids. Seven natural isotopes, Sm_147 is the only radioisotope, and -- has a half_life of 2.5*10^11 years. Used for making special alloys needed -- in the production of nuclear reactors. Also used as a neutron absorber. -- Small quantities of samarium oxide is used in special optical glasses. -- The largest use of the element is its ferromagnetic alloy which produces -- permanent magnets that are five times stronger than magnets produced by -- any other material. Discovered by Francois Lecoq de Boisbaudran in -- 1879. fun Samarium : Class ; fun Samarium_Class : SubClass Samarium ElementalSubstance ; -- Rare soft silvery metallic element belonging to -- group 3 of the periodic table. There are ten isotopes, nine of which are -- radioactive and have short half_lives. Predicted in 1869 by Mendeleev, -- isolated by Nilson in 1879. fun Scandium : Class ; fun Scandium_Class : SubClass Scandium ElementalSubstance ; -- Metalloid element, belongs to group 16 of the -- periodic table. Multiple allotropic forms exist. Chemically resembles -- sulphur. Discovered in 1817 by Jons J. Berzelius. fun Selenium : Class ; fun Selenium_Class : SubClass Selenium ElementalSubstance ; -- Metalloid element belonging to group 14 of the -- periodic table. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth's -- crust, making up 25.7 percent of it by weight. Chemically less reactive -- than carbon. First identified by Lavoisier in 1787 and first isolated in -- 1823 by Berzelius. fun Silicon : Class ; fun Silicon_Class : SubClass Silicon ElementalSubstance ; -- White lustrous soft metallic transition element. -- Found in both its elemental form and in minerals. Used in jewellery, -- tableware and so on. Less reactive than silver, chemically. fun Silver : Class ; fun Silver_Class : SubClass Silver ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft silvery reactive element belonging to group 1 -- of the periodic table (alkali metals). It is highly reactive, oxidizing -- in air and reacting violently with water, forcing it to be kept under oil. -- It was first isolated by Humphrey Davy in 1807. fun Sodium : Class ; fun Sodium_Class : SubClass Sodium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft yellowish metallic element, belongs to -- group 2 of the periodic table. Highly reactive chemically. Sr_90 is -- present in radioactive fallout and has a half_life of 28 years. -- Discovered in 1798 by Klaproth and Hope, isolated in 1808 by Humphry -- Davy. fun Strontium : Class ; fun Strontium_Class : SubClass Strontium ElementalSubstance ; -- Yellow, nonmetallic element belonging to group 16 -- of the periodic table. It is an essential element in living organisms, -- needed in the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and hence in many -- proteins. Absorbed by plants from the soil as sulphate ion. fun Sulphur : Class ; fun Sulphur_Class : SubClass Sulphur ElementalSubstance ; -- Heavy blue_grey metallic transition element. -- Ta_181 is a stable isotope, and Ta_180 is a radioactive isotope, with a -- half_life in excess of 10^7 years. Used in surgery as it is unreactive. -- Forms a passive oxide layer in air. Identified in 1802 by Ekeberg and -- isolated in 1820 by Jons J. Berzelius. fun Tantalum : Class ; fun Tantalum_Class : SubClass Tantalum ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive metallic transition element. Can -- be detected in some stars and the fission products of uranium. First made -- by Perrier and Segre by bombarding molybdenum with deutrons, giving them -- Tc_97. Tc_99 is the most stable isotope with a half_life of 2.6*10^6 -- years. Sixteen isotopes are known. Organic technetium compounds are used -- in bone imaging. Chemical properties are intermediate between rhenium and -- manganese. fun Technetium : Class ; fun Technetium_Class : SubClass Technetium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery metalloid element of group 16. Eight -- natural isotopes, nine radioactive isotopes. Used in semiconductors and -- to a degree in some steels. Chemistry is similar to {sulphur}. -- Discovered in 1782 by Franz Miller. fun Tellurium : Class ; fun Tellurium_Class : SubClass Tellurium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery metallic element belonging to the -- lanthanoids. Tb_159 is the only stable isotope, there are seventeen -- artificial isotopes. Discovered by G.G. Mosander in 1843. fun Terbium : Class ; fun Terbium_Class : SubClass Terbium ElementalSubstance ; -- Pure, unreacted thallium appears silvery_white -- and exhibits a metallic lustre. Upon reacting with air, it begins to turn -- bluish_grey and looks like lead. It is very malleable, and can be cut -- with a knife. There are two stable isotopes, and four radioisotopes, -- Tl_204 being the most stable with a half_life of 3.78 years. Thallium -- sulphate was used as a rodenticide. Thallium sulphine's conductivity -- changes with exposure to infrared light, this gives it a use in infrared -- detectors. Discovered by Sir William Crookes via spectroscopy. Its name -- comes from the Greek word thallos, which means green twig. Thallium and -- its compounds are toxic and can cause cancer. fun Thallium : Class ; fun Thallium_Class : SubClass Thallium ElementalSubstance ; -- Grey radioactive metallic element. Belongs to -- actinoids. Found in monazite sand in Brazil, India and the US. -- Thorium_232 has a half_life of 1.39x10^10 years. Can be used as a nuclear -- fuel for breeder reactors. Thorium_232 captures slow {neutron}s and -- breeds uranium_233. Discovered by Jons J. Berzelius in 1829. fun Thorium : Class ; fun Thorium_Class : SubClass Thorium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft grey metallic element that belongs to the -- lanthanoids. One natural isotope exists, Tm_169, and seventeen artificial -- isotopes have been produced. No known uses for the element. Discovered -- in 1879 by Per Theodor Cleve. fun Thulium : Class ; fun Thulium_Class : SubClass Thulium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery malleable metallic element belonging to group -- 14 of the periodic table. Twenty_six isotopes are known, five of which -- are radioactive. Chemically reactive. Combines directly with chlorine -- and oxygen and displaces hydrogen from dilute acids. fun Tin : Class ; fun Tin_Class : SubClass Tin ElementalSubstance ; -- White metallic transition element. Occurs in -- numerous minerals. Used in strong, light corrosion_resistant alloys. -- Forms a passive oxide coating when exposed to air. First discovered by -- Gregor in 1789. fun Titanium : Class ; fun Titanium_Class : SubClass Titanium ElementalSubstance ; -- White or grey metallic transition element, -- formerly called {wolfram}. Forms a protective oxide in air and can be -- oxidized at high temperature. First isolated by Jose and Fausto de -- Elhuyer in 1783. fun Tungsten : Class ; fun Tungsten_Class : SubClass Tungsten ElementalSubstance ; -- Half_life of approximately 10ms. Reported in -- 1994 by German researchers at Darmstadt, Germany. fun Unnildecium : Class ; fun Unnildecium_Class : SubClass Unnildecium ElementalSubstance ; -- Half_life of 0.9 +/_ 0.2 s. Discovered by the -- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research at Dubna (U.S.S.R.) in June of 1974. -- Its existence was confirmed by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and -- Livermore National Laboratory in September of 1974. fun Unnilhexium : Class ; fun Unnilhexium_Class : SubClass Unnilhexium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive transition metal. fun Unniloctium : Class ; fun Unniloctium_Class : SubClass Unniloctium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive transactinide element. Half_life -- of 1.6s. Discovered in 1970 by Berkeley researchers. So far, seven -- isotopes have been discovered. fun Unnilpentium : Class ; fun Unnilpentium_Class : SubClass Unnilpentium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive transactinide element. Expected -- to have similar chemical properties to those displayed by hafnium. Rf_260 -- was discovered by the Joint Nuclear Research Institute at Dubna (U.S.S.R.) -- in 1964. Researchers at Berkeley discovered Unq_257 and Unq_258 in -- 1964. fun Unnilquadium : Class ; fun Unnilquadium_Class : SubClass Unnilquadium ElementalSubstance ; -- Radioactive transition metal. Half_life of -- approximately 1/500 s. Discovered by the Joint Institute for Nuclear -- Research at Dubna (U.S.S.R.) in 1976. Confirmed by West German physicists -- at the Heavy Ion Research Laboratory at Darmstadt. fun Unnilseptium : Class ; fun Unnilseptium_Class : SubClass Unnilseptium ElementalSubstance ; -- White radioactive metallic element belonging to -- the actinoids. Three natural isotopes, U_238, U_235 and U_234. -- Uranium_235 is used as the fuel for nuclear reactors and weapons. -- Discovered by Martin H. Klaproth in 1789. fun Uranium : Class ; fun Uranium_Class : SubClass Uranium ElementalSubstance ; -- Soft and ductile, bright white metal. Good -- resistance to corrosion by alkalis, sulphuric and hydrochloric acid. It -- oxidizes readily about 933K. There are two naturally occurring isotopes -- of vanadium, and 5 radioisotopes, V_49 having the longest half_life at 337 -- days. Vanadium has nuclear applications, the foil is used in cladding -- titanium to steel, and vanadium_gallium tape is used to produce a -- superconductive magnet. Originally discovered by Andres Manuel del Rio of -- Mexico City in 1801. His discovery went unheeded, however, and in 1820, -- Nils Gabriel Sefstron of Sweden rediscovered it. Metallic vanadium was -- isolated by Henry Enfield Roscoe in 1867. The name vanadium comes from -- {Vanadis}, a goddess of Scandinavian mythology. Silvery_white metallic -- transition element. Vanadium is essential to {ascidian}s. Rats and -- chickens are also known to require it. Metal powder is a fire hazard, and -- vanadium compounds should be considered highly toxic. May cause lung -- cancer if inhaled. fun Vanadium : Class ; fun Vanadium_Class : SubClass Vanadium ElementalSubstance ; -- Colourless, odourless gas belonging to group 18 on -- the periodic table (the noble gases.) Nine natural isotopes and seven -- radioactive isotopes are known. Xenon was part of the first noble_gas -- compound synthesized. Several others involving Xenon have been found -- since then. Xenon was discovered by Ramsey and Travers in 1898. fun Xenon : Class ; fun Xenon_Class : SubClass Xenon ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery metallic element of the lanthanoids. -- Seven natural isotopes and ten artificial isotopes are known. Used in -- certain steels. Discovered by J.D.G. Marignac in 1878. fun Ytterbium : Class ; fun Ytterbium_Class : SubClass Ytterbium ElementalSubstance ; -- Silvery_grey metallic element of group 3 on the -- periodic table. Found in uranium ores. The only natural isotope is Y_89, -- there are 14 other artificial isotopes. Chemically resembles the -- lanthanoids. Stable in the air below 400 degrees, celsius. Discovered in -- 1828 by Friedrich Wohler. fun Yttrium : Class ; fun Yttrium_Class : SubClass Yttrium ElementalSubstance ; -- Blue_white metallic element. Occurs in multiple -- compounds naturally. Five stable isotopes are six radioactive isotopes -- have been found. Chemically a reactive metal, combines with oxygen and -- other non_metals, reacts with dilute acids to release hydrogen. fun Zinc : Class ; fun Zinc_Class : SubClass Zinc ElementalSubstance ; -- Grey_white metallic transition element. Five -- natural isotopes and six radioactive isotopes are known. Used in nuclear -- reactors for a {neutron} absorber. Discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, -- isolated in 1824 by Berzelius. fun Zirconium : Class ; fun Zirconium_Class : SubClass Zirconium ElementalSubstance ; }