Did you know that the periodic table was based upon its creator's favorite game of solitaire? Now that you do, can you name the elements that reside on it? Head back to chemistry class during this quiz, and name as many of the elements has you can remember. How well will you do?
1: Represented by the letter H, what's the name of the most common element in the universe?
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Without hydrogen, you couldn't have water. As the most abundant element in the universe, it makes up around 90% of all atoms.
2: Do you know the name of the gas that's often used to making glowing signs?
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When neon is electrically agitated, it glows. Without electricity, it's colorless. Represented by Ne, neon sits at number 10 on the periodic table, and it's the second of the noble gasses.
3: Which one of these elements is associated with the pennies in your piggy bank?
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Cu, or copper, is a softer metal that's used to make bronze. When copper is oxidized it turns a greenish-blue like you see on the Statue of Liberty. FYI ... since 1837, pennies have mostly been made from zinc.
4: Take a deep breath and name the element that makes up about 20% of our Earth's atmosphere. Can you get it right?
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Considered one of the more reactive elements, oxygen (O) is fundamental for both plant and animal life. In addition to making up 20% of the Earth's atmosphere, it also makes up 50% of the earth's crust.
5: Which one of the elements in your table salt is represented on the periodic table by "Ne?"
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Table salt is made from iodine and sodium, but we're talking about sodium here. Along with lithium and potassium, sodium is considered an alkali metal. When combined with other elements, it's used in everything from glassmaking to fertilizer.
6: Do you know the name of the element that helps make up bones, teeth, and chalkboard chalk?
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Long before calcium (Ca) was identified, it was being used by Ancient Romans to harden concrete. Calcium not only helps with the building of strong bones and teeth, it also helps your nerve send vital signals to the rest of your body.
7: Can you figure out which element is often used to create rich blue colors?
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Without cobalt (Co), your body wouldn't be able to create the B12 it needs to function. Although cobalt metal is a steel gray color, the salts within it create the blue that's often used in paints and glass. By acting as a dye, it's also used as a medicine that helps identify certain types of cancer.
8: Will you need to ask the rodent population which member of the phosphorus family is dangerously poisonous?
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Arsenic (As) has an atomic number of 33, and it's a highly toxic substance. Although it's often used in things like fireworks, it's more widely used in poisons. Even the smallest amount over time can be deadly.
9: Diamond, graphite, and amorphous are the three states of which stable element?
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Carbon (C) is the sixth element found on the periodic table. From the pencils we use to the air we exhale, carbon is found in nearly every substance. It's stability allows it to be found alone or in naturally occuring makeups like carbon dioxide.
10: What water purifying element has the symbol Cl?
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Chlorine was first isolated in 1774, and it's a member of the halogen group of elements. We usually think of chlorine in swimming pools or water supplies, but it's also used to make bleach and things like paper.
11: Your doctor might tell you to eat a banana to get plenty of which element?
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Potassium is found in bananas, and your body needs it to work properly. It's represented by the symbol K because it's a member of the alkali metals like sodium. If you wanted to find other things that contain potassium, you could look at fireworks or the Earth's crust. The Earth's crust is made from approximately 2.4% of it.
12: Which magnetic element would you find at the core of the Earth and in your blood stream?
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When iron is oxidized, its usual gray color turns to red. Symbolized by Fe, iron is responsible for helping the earth maintain its magnetic field. In order to turn iron into steel, it needs to be combined with other alloys.
13: Sia sometimes sings about which strong, lightweight metal element?
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Used to make airplanes and paints, titanium (Ti) is one of the strongest metals on the periodic table. Because it's highly resistant to corrosion, it's often reserved for manufacturing and travel-related industries.
14: Can you crush this quiz like a can and name the element with the symbol of Al?
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Non-toxic aluminum is ideal for using alone or combine with other alloys. Aluminum's pliable, reflective qualities allowed it to be used before it was named in 1807. It's also one of the major compounds in rubies.
15: Do you know which of these elements essential for your body and often found in medication?
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Without magnesium (Mg) plants wouldn't be able to photosynthesize. Always bonded to other elements, it's also essential for the human body's nerve functions. If you are lacking it in your diet, you can get it over the counter or you can take an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt is loaded with it, and it will absorb through your skin.
16: Symbolized by (Au), what's the name of the chemical element you might find in jewelry?
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Gold is one of the softer metals, and it's good for a lot of things. In addition to being a popular choice for jewelry, it's conductive nature also makes it perfect for electronics and heating devices. It's symbolized by Au because gold is aurum in Latin.
17: Can you figure out which element is the most common noble gas?
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Ar 18, or argon, comprised around 1% of the Earth's atmosphere. Discovered in 1894, it's inert properties make it ideal for use in light bulbs and welding.
18: Can you make light of this question by identifying the noble gas with the symbol He?
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Sitting in the top row of the periodic table, helium has no color or smell. The use of helium goes far beyond voice-changing party balloons. It's also used to make rocket fuel and to cool nuclear reactors. The sun naturally has large quantities of it.
19: Fortunately, you don't have to smell the yellow element symbolized by S. Can you name it, though?
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With its rotten egg smell, sulphur is easy to identify with your nose. Naturally found near volcanoes and hot springs, it's even mentioned in the Bible. Around the house, you can find it in matches and medications.
20: Which element shares its name with an American coin worth five cents?
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Nickel (Ni) is obviously used to make coins, but it has a litany of other uses. Nickels non-corrosive properties make it perfect for water plants that need to turn saltwater into freshwater. It's also used to create beautiful hues of green glass.
