What is Phosphorus? Phosphorus is a white solid at room temperature and pressure. It is located on the right side of the periodic table, near the other nonmetals. Phosphorus is primarily used for flammable and explosive applications (like matches and ammunition) and for fertilizers. Phosphorus’s Place in the Periodic Table Phosphorus’s name is... »
What is Tin? Tin is a post-transition metal that is soft, malleable, ductile, and silvery white. It has the largest number of stable isotopes of any element. It was first used during the bronze age (3000 BC) and may be most widely known for its use in “tin cans.” Additional applications include soldering, LCD displays, batteries, anti-cavity treatments, and biocides. Tin’s Place in th... »
What is Platinum? Platinum is the 78th element of the periodic table and classified as a transition metal. This silvery-white metal is very dense and malleable, and is considered a precious metal. Platinum is commonly used as a catalyst for chemical reactions, but it’s much more widely known to be a part of jewelry and extravagant decorations. Platinum’s Place in the Periodic Table Pl... »
What is Tungsten? Tungsten is a transition metal in nature that has a shiny, silvery-gray appearance. Pure tungsten is brittle but hard. It has many uses, including lighting, improved alloys, jewelry, and medical research. Tungsten’s Place in the Periodic Table Tungsten is a transition metal in group 6 and period 6. Transition metals are those found in groups 3 to 12 of the periodic t... »
What is Silicon? Silicon is a metalloid and the 14th element of the periodic table. It is a hard, brittle, crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic luster, which is quite different from the rubber-like material, silicone, which is more popularly known. Silicon is used extensively as a semiconductor in the electronics industry, especially computers. It is also one of the main components of sand,... »
What is Sulfur? Sulfur is the 16th element of the periodic table and is considered a nonmetal. Sulfur, in its pure elemental form, is a bright yellow crystalline solid. This crystalline solid is formed by cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula of S8. Some common uses of sulfur are in gunpowder, matches, and fireworks, which should give you some ideas about its flammability. Sulf... »
What is Nickel? Nickel is the 28th element of the periodic table and is classified as a transition metal. In its pure form, nickel is a silvery-white metal that is very shiny and can have a slight golden tinge. Nickel is commonly used to plate other metals and protect them from corrosion, and is found in many alloys such as stainless steel. Nickel’s Place in the Periodic Table It is b... »
What is Iodine? Iodine is a black, shiny, crystalline solid at room temperature and pressure. It is located on the right side of the periodic table with the other halogens. Iodine is currently used in a wide variety of applications ranging from salts, inks, catalysts, photographic chemicals, and LCD displays. Iodine’s Place in the Periodic Table Iodine’s nam... »
What is Fluorine? Fluorine is a super reactive, pale yellow-green gas. It is located near the other nonmetals on the periodic table, in the upper right corner. Fluorine is primarily known as the most reactive element. Due to its extreme reactivity, its uses are primarily for very energy intensive applications like bombs, nuclear energy, and high-temperature plastics such as Teflon. &... »
What is Lithium? Lithium is a soft, silvery solid metal at room temperature and pressure. It is located on the top left side of the periodic table, near the other alkali and alkaline earth metals. Lithium is most commonly known for its use in rechargeable batteries, but it’s also used in alloys, pharmaceuticals, and for storing hydrogen fuel. Lithium’s Plac... »