Fun Facts 1

Here are some fun and interesting facts about chemical elements:

• There is more hydrogen (H, #1) in the universe than any other element. In fact, 88% of the atoms in the universe are H's! Most of them could be found in stars or in space.


• The thin wire filament in an incandescent light bulb is made of tungsten (W, #74). It glows bright white when electricity passes through it.


• The dark-gray mineral stibnite contains antimony (Sb, #51). In ancient times, it was ground up and used as mascara.


• Smoke detectors used in the home contain small amounts of the radioactive element americium (Am, #95). You should never take a smoke detector apart for this reason!


• Compounds that contain sulfur (S, #14) give onions and garlic their strong smells.


• The element nobelium (No, #102) is named after Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, then donated his money to create the Nobel Prizes, given for Peace, Literature, Medicine, Economics, Physics, and Chemistry. The winners of these prizes are named in early October, so listen for the announcement!


• The presence of a strontium (Sr, #38) compound gives red fireworks their color.


• Aluminum (Al, #13) was once more expensive than gold! In fact, the French emperor Napoleon III had special sets of aluminum forks, spoons, and knives made for his very special dinner guests! It wasn't until two chemists (in France and in the U.S.) discovered ways to produce aluminum cheaply that it became a commonly used metal.


• Very accurate atomic clocks are based on vibrations of the cesium (Cs, #55) atom.


• The upset-stomach reliever Pepto-Bismol contains the element bismuth (Bi, #83).