Surprising predictions part 4

 The Many Wonders of the Periodic Table of Elements

Have you ever stopped to think about how many elements there are in the world? You might be amazed to discover that the number of chemical elements on the periodic table, which includes all of the known chemical elements and their properties, exceeds 118! This means that most things around you, from air and water to the physical objects in your home and even your body, are made up of atoms of various types.

A History Lesson

It all started with a man named Dmitri Mendeleev. In 1869, he published the first version of what we now know as the periodic table of elements. This groundbreaking work organized the known elements at the time into a table based on their atomic weights. Mendeleev also predicted the existence of several yet-undiscovered elements. These predictions came true in subsequent years, and the modern periodic table reflects this. 

Mendeleev's use of decimal places for relative weight led to his discovery that some recurring chemical properties were due to similarities in chemistry between atoms. When you see rows or columns where nearly every element has similar properties, it is because they have similar physical and chemical traits. You can look at it this way: Mendeleev's initial ideas about organization led to breakthroughs in understanding how things are alike and different. If someone were to tell you I am an expert in law, would your next question be What type? Similarly, if someone told you I am an expert in electricity, would your next question be What type? From these answers, you could infer that electricity experts might also specialize in electronics engineering. The same analogy applies to science - people often specialize within fields of study. That's why when you visit the periodic table page, there are tabs labeled elements and periods. Clicking one will take you to a list of information about that specific category. For example, clicking elements will take you to a page with links related to all 118 elements currently listed on the table. Clicking periods will take you to another page explaining each column, row, group and period by name. Take some time scrolling through these pages before going back out onto social media; your brain may just thank me later! When looking at the periodic table of elements, keep in mind that these categories aren't mutually exclusive. There are often overlaps. For instance, the alkali metals (elements 1-11) are grouped together but do not include hydrogen (1). Meanwhile, hydrogen is included in the other two groups of elements that Mendeleev created: Group IIIA which includes lithium and potassium, and Group IVA which includes copper and zinc. So while many experts like to focus on specialized areas of research, there's plenty more to learn from exploring outside our comfort zones too!

Why Chemists Use it

If you ask a chemist what they think the most important thing in their field is, they might say the periodic table. This ubiquitous chart hangs on walls in classrooms and laboratories all over the world. It is referenced constantly in research and used as a starting point for discussions of new discoveries. The periodic table is so important because it organizes all of the known elements by their chemical properties. Chemists can use this to predict how an element will react with other elements or compounds, which has been invaluable in creating many of our modern technologies. For example, chemists knew that lithium could be extracted from minerals like limestone; they could even predict how much lithium would be present in these rocks based on the composition of the mineral matrix. By studying this data and understanding how different variables affected lithium extraction rates, chemists were able to create efficient processes that mined large quantities of lithium efficiently and economically. Another great way that chemists use the periodic table is to understand substances better. Take sodium chloride (salt) for example- salt consists of two elements: sodium and chlorine. When comparing two salts such as sodium chloride and potassium iodide, it becomes clear that there are many similarities between them: both contain two atoms (sodium and chlorine), both are ionic compounds, both are soluble in water, etc., but there are also differences. Sodium chloride dissolves more easily than potassium iodide does because its ions have a lower charge density- one electron less per atom means fewer negative charges sticking out making it easier for water molecules to break down salt's structure. The periodic table makes it easy to compare two similar compounds and see how they differ. In the case of sodium chloride and potassium iodide, we can see that while their structures are similar, the solubility varies drastically. While this is just one example of how chemists rely on the periodic table, there are countless others- from organic chemistry reactions to astrophysics applications. You could say that the periodic table is something every scientist needs to know, whether you work with it directly or not. And now I bet you're wondering why physicists need it too! Well, the universe is full of particles. We know about protons, neutrons, electrons and quarks. But if you want to learn about subatomic particles like muons or tau leptons, then you'll need to consult the periodic table for help figuring out what those are made up of! Why? Because physicists make up words when they're at a loss for descriptors - muon was originally short for mu meson, meaning a type of particle that behaves in certain ways that resemble some types of mesons found on the table. Now, muons are considered a specific type of hadron, the class of particle that includes things like pions and kaons. Plus, the periodic table is a visual representation of where everything falls in relation to each other, making it useful for understanding the microscopic to macroscopic scale. Astrophysicists especially love using it because they use the table to figure out where stars fall in relation to each other. Where do you fit in? Can you find your place on the periodic table yet?

What Can You Learn From This?

If you're like most people, you probably learned about the periodic table of elements in high school science class. But did you know that there's more to this table than just a list of chemical symbols? In fact, the periodic table can tell us a lot about the history of chemistry and the way elements interact with each other. Here are seven things you can learn from the periodic table of elements. 1) The names of all 118 known elements come from Latin and Greek words. For example, helium is named after the Greek word for sun because it was first discovered on a sunny day by an astronomer named Pierre Janssen. 

2) It’s impossible to put every known element on the periodic table because new ones are being discovered all the time. Scientists estimate that there may be up to 100 more unknown elements out there waiting to be found! 

3) Not all known elements are naturally occurring; some have been made artificially in laboratories or by bombarding atoms with radiation until they change into new ones. Some common artificial elements include plutonium, neptunium, and francium. 

4) One thing scientists use the periodic table for is predicting how two different types of metals will react when combined with one another in a lab setting. They do this by looking at how close the two types of metals are to one another on the periodic table. For instance, gold will never react with copper because they're too far apart from one another on the table - but aluminum might react well with gold! 

5) What does my lipstick have to do with anything? Well, what color does your lipstick happen to be? And what metal was used in its creation? That information could help you understand why certain metals are toxic to humans and others aren't. You'll notice that many compounds containing iron, nickel, arsenic, mercury, lead, or chromium aren't safe for human consumption because these particular metals can damage cells and cause serious health problems over time. On the other hand, many compounds containing silicon (which is near titanium on the periodic table) are non-toxic even though they don't occur naturally in nature!

Tables in Nature

In the natural world, there are all sorts of periodic tables. The elements in these tables include both physical and chemical properties that recur at regular intervals. This makes them incredibly useful for predicting the behavior of other elements. For example, by looking at the periodic table, we can see that oxygen is a gas, while carbon is a solid. We can also see that hydrogen is flammable, while chlorine is poisonous. You may not be able to tell just from looking at the periodic table, but each element has its own unique set of traits that make it different from others. By understanding how they interact with one another, we can predict how they will behave in specific situations. Take aluminum and sodium, for instance. Aluminum reacts with water to create hydrogen gas, while sodium reacts with water to create steam. If you mix these two metals together and add water, you'll get fire! Just as in nature, interactions between these elements can cause some pretty wild reactions. It's this kind of knowledge that allows chemists to harness the power of atoms in order to change things like glass, stone or iron into what they need. 

It's easy to forget that most things around us were created by mixing atoms together into compounds. But it was through careful study of how these substances interact with one another that scientists discovered new ways to combine them so they would produce something new - like baking soda or cellulose - and revolutionized human life as we know it! 

Scientists don't just study on their own; instead, they share their findings with fellow scientists around the world through research papers or talks at conferences.

Uses for Tungsten

1. Tungsten is used in light bulb filaments.

2. It is also used in electrodes for welding and cutting metals.

3. Tungsten alloys are used to make products that need to withstand high temperatures, such as rockets and missiles.

4. The metal is also used to make X-ray tubes and cathode ray tubes.

5. Tungsten is often used in jewelry because it is very strong and resistant to scratches.

6. It is also used in the manufacturing of electrical contacts because it conducts electricity well.

7. Finally, tungsten powder is often used as a polishing compound for metals.  8. Along with its many other uses, tungsten makes an excellent choice for many different types of fishing lines because it has a low density and is more durable than other types of line. 9. Occasionally it is used to make abrasives (such as sandpaper) due to its hardness, although this use has decreased over time with advances in technology that produce alternative materials with better qualities. 

10. Used by itself or alloyed with other metals, tungsten has been called the most versatile metal on earth. 11. Perhaps this should not be surprising since tungsten can be found in virtually every industry from construction to medicine and even sports equipment. 12. People who suffer from arthritis sometimes take tungsten when they need relief from joint pain. 13. When mixed with cobalt oxide, tungsten becomes WCO3 which is highly magnetic and is used to create computer monitors, fluorescent lamps, lasers, electrostatic speakers, microphones and telephone handsets. 14. Obviously there are many different ways tungsten is used throughout our society today, but what you may not know is that if you have ever eaten anything with peanut butter in it, then you have probably consumed trace amounts of tungsten without even knowing it! 15. For those who don't know, peanuts grow underground so when farmers remove peanuts from the ground they do so using a process called dehulling. 16. In dehulling peanuts, some of the shells break up into tiny pieces and become part of the peanut butter during processing--thus becoming one of several ingredients including salt and sugar! 17. And while there are other metals present in peanut butter--namely copper--tungsten is also present albeit at much lower levels. 18. So next time you're enjoying a tasty spoonful of peanut butter, keep in mind that you might just be getting some tungsten too! 19. While this might sound like something only scientists would think about, keep in mind that understanding how the periodic table works is key to understanding how elements interact with each other on a microscopic level and thus how chemical reactions work. 20. And while we're talking about food...maybe we should talk about candy corn next! 21. Candy corn is made from sugar, corn syrup, and other flavors and colors. 22. The kernels of the candy are actually a type of wafer that is covered in a hard chocolate shell. 23. When you bite down on the kernel, it cracks open to reveal the softer, sweeter inside. 24. Not surprisingly, tungsten is used in both of these components--the chocolate coating as well as the wafer! 25. So there you have it! The many wonders of the periodic table of elements! 26. Now that you know about tungsten, I'm sure you'll be thinking about it a little differently in the future! 27. You'll be amazed to see how this seemingly obscure metal is used in so many different aspects of your everyday life--just look around and you'll see tungsten everywhere. 28. This includes tungsten in light bulbs, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, and even gas grills. 29. And while there are many different types of tungsten on the market today--with a wide range of quality and price--you can trust that no matter what you buy it will be a reliable and sturdy material that will help you get the job done! 30.

Uses for Copper

Copper is found in electric wires, plumbing, and electronics. It's a good conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it ideal for many industrial applications. Copper is also antimicrobial, so it's used in surfaces that need to be kept clean, like doorknobs and countertops. It's even being used in coins and jewelry! The Statue of Liberty contains more than 200 tons of copper, as does all of our pennies. The U.S. penny was made out of copper because at one point it had value equal to its weight in the metal—hence copper penny. In fact, there are still some countries that use copper as their main currency today! Countries like Ecuador, Guatemala, Cuba, and Paraguay have only recently begun to shift away from using coins with heavy metals due to environmental concerns. Other countries have already abandoned them altogether, such as Argentina (since 1992), Canada (2011), and Nepal (2013).

 Copper has been mined since 6000 BC when people discovered they could extract it from rocks in Jordan. Throughout history this resource has been prized by humans for many reasons: its malleability, durability, resistance to corrosion (which extends its lifespan), electrical conductivity... you name it! What else can we say about this metal? Well, let's start with it having two major types. Malleable means able to be hammered into thin sheets or drawn into wire; these properties make it an excellent choice for coinage. Durable means able to withstand wear and tear; this property leads us back to why copper piping and wiring is often used in houses and factories alike. And finally corrosion-resistant means not corroding; where would we be without things like plumbing or door handles? There are so many uses for copper that there isn't enough time to list them all here! However, one interesting thing to note is that pure copper doesn't actually exist on Earth. All natural samples contain traces of other elements like zinc, sulfur, lead, nickel, and arsenic. Ancient people thought gold was silver until they discovered how to mix it with tin ore and noticed the difference in color! So maybe there are still other elements hiding out in our earth waiting to be discovered? For now, though, we're content just knowing that copper is amazing!

Uses for Carbon

1. As one of the most abundant elements in the universe, carbon is an important component of stars, planets, and even life itself.

2. Carbon is also a key ingredient in many industries, such as steelmaking, where it is used to remove impurities from iron.

3. In the form of diamonds, carbon is one of the hardest materials known to man and is used in everything from drill bits to cutting tools.

4. Graphite, another form of carbon, is used as a lubricant and in pencils due to its low friction properties.

5. Carbon fiber is strong yet lightweight, making it ideal for use in aerospace and automotive applications. 6. The backbone of organic chemistry, carbon can be found anywhere from DNA to aspirin. It's estimated that there are more than 18 million uses for this element.

Bonus Element: Sulfur - A Source of Life and Death

Sulfur is a non-metallic chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent, and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow crystalline solid at room temperature.

Sulfur is found in all living tissues, but it particularly concentrated in hair, skin, and nails. It plays an important role in metabolism and has many other benefits for human health. However, sulfur can also be deadly. When combined with other elements, it forms poisonous compounds that are responsible for some of the worst environmental disasters in history. For example, when combined with hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), it forms mustard gas. Mustard gas was one of the chemicals used as a weapon during World War I and killed or injured more than one million people. The production of phosphorous acid (H3PO4) from elemental sulfur is another major source of environmental pollution because phosphorous acid converts to phosphoric acid (H3PO4) after being released into water supplies and damages fish populations by interfering with their respiration system. Fortunately, most industrial processes have since switched to use less toxic materials. Nonetheless, there remains plenty of potential for future disasters. Remember this the next time you see someone looking like they just rolled out of bed with greasy hair and uncombed hair! There is a misconception about who really does not need to wash their hair on a daily basis: According to dermatologists, individuals who produce excess sebum, either due to genetics or hormone levels, should avoid washing their hair every day because shampooing can disrupt the natural balance of oils and remove these vital nutrients.