Category: Chemical Elements

The periodic table elements whose last electron goes into the f subshell are known as f-block elements. These elements are usually not considered part of any group. They are sometimes called inner transition metals because they offer a transition in properties between the s-block and d-block elements of Periods 6 and 7. Moreover, they have… Continue reading f-Block Elements

The elements from Group 3 to Group 12 of the periodic table are collectively called the d-block elements. They are called so because the highest energy subshell, i.e., the subshell where the last electron occupies, is a d subshell. There are 40 d-block elements [1-4]. The d-block elements are also known as transition metals because… Continue reading d-Block Elements

A molecule made up of two atoms is called a diatomic molecule. The atoms can be from the same element or different elements. A diatomic molecule has a linear geometry, meaning the atoms are connected in a straight line. Almost all diatomic molecules are gases at room temperature [1-4]. Types of Diatomic Molecules There are… Continue reading Diatomic Molecules

What Is Radium-226 Radium-226, represented by the chemical symbol Ra-226, is the most common and highly radioactive isotope of radium. It is formed as a by-product of the nuclear reactors that refine thorium and uranium and also occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It is produced by the decay of uranium-238. Unlike the other radioactive… Continue reading Radium-226

What is Americium Americium (pronunciation: am-er-ISH-ee-em) is a shiny, silvery, synthetic element belonging to the actinide series and is represented by the chemical symbol Am [1, 2, 3]. Since it is artificially created, it does not have any known stable isotopes [4]. However, it has nineteen radioisotopes, out of which the most stable are 243Am… Continue reading Americium

What is Polonium-210 Polonium-210 (symbol Po-210) is a highly radioactive and poisonous isotope of Polonium. It was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1897 while investigating uranium ores. It was named after Poland, Marie’s motherland. Due to its short half-life, it quickly ceases to be dangerous. Its radiation, though powerful, can be stopped by… Continue reading Polonium-210

What is Inconel Inconel is a family of alloys made from nickel and chromium that has major applications in manufacturing. These alloys can withstand high temperature and pressure, and oxidation-corrosion without losing their structural integrity. Though not naturally magnetic, some of them exhibit the property [1, 2].

What is Radium-223 Radium-223 is a radioactive isotope of the radium metal with a half-life of 11.4 days, denoted by the symbol Ra-223 or 223Ra. A high energy alpha-emitting radionuclide, it is mainly used in the medical and research field [1]. It can be produced from an actinium-227/thorium-227 generator system through elution 

What is Aluminum Aluminum (pronounced as ah-LOO-men-em) is a soft and lightweight metal, represented by the chemical Al. It exists in the form of several mineral compounds, having a wide range of commercial uses due to its non-toxic nature and high-corrosion resistance. It has 15 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 22 to 35 of… Continue reading Aluminum

What is Rutherfordium Rutherfordium (pronunciation ruth-er-FORD-ee-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Rf [1], is a synthetic, radioactive element belonging to the family of transition metals [3]. The most stable of its 15 isotopes is that with mass number 267 that has a half life of 1.3 hours [3].

What is Silver Silver (pronounced as SIL-ver) is a shiny metal denoted by the chemical symbol Ag. Though it is not highly reactive, it gradually tarnishes in air to form a black coating of silver sulfide. It has 35 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 94 to 128 of which only Ag-107 and Ag-109 have… Continue reading Silver

What is Hydrogen Hydrogen (pronounced as Hi-dreh-jen) is a colorless gas represented by the chemical symbol H. It is the first element in the periodic table, belonging to the family of nonmetals [1]. Since hydrogen is a diatomic gas, it’s denoted by the molecular formula H2.

What is Sodium Sodium (pronunciation SO-dee-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Na [1], is a soft, malleable element belonging to the family of alkali metals [3]. Naturally occurring Na is its most stable isotope with mass number 23 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has 16 synthetic, radioactive isotopes with known half-lives [3].… Continue reading Sodium

What is Palladium Palladium (pronunciation peh-LAY-dee-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Pd [1], is a rare, lustrous element belonging to the family of transition metals [3]. Naturally occurring Pd is a mixture of 6 stable isotopes with mass numbers 102, 104, 105, 106, 108 and 110 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has… Continue reading Palladium

What is Titanium Titanium (pronunciation: ti-TAY-nee-em) is a hard, shiny, strong, and lightweight element classified as a transition metal and represented by the chemical symbol Ti [1, 2, 3]. As compared to the other ferromagnetic elements, titanium is a weakly magnetic metal that shows its magnetic characteristics in the presence of external magnetic fields [4].

What is Lithium Lithium (pronounced as LITH-ee-em) is a soft metal with a silver appearance, represented by the chemical symbol Li. It belongs to the family of alkali metals and reacts spontaneously with water. Out of its seven isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 5 to 11, only Li-6 and Li-7 have a natural existence.

What is Sulfur Sulfur (pronunciation: SUL-fer) is a yellowish powdery or crystalline element belonging to the family of Chalcogen and nonmetals in the periodic table and is represented by the chemical symbol S [1, 2, 3]. Although pure sulfur is odorless, the bad smell linked with the element comes from some of its compounds, including… Continue reading Sulfur

What is Copper Copper (pronunciation KOP-er [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Cu [1], is a soft, malleable and ductile element belonging to the family of transition metals [3, 4, 7]. Naturally, occurring Cu is a mixture of 2 stable isotopes with mass numbers 63 and 65 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has… Continue reading Copper

What is Phosphorus Phosphorus (pronunciation: FOS-fer-es) is a highly-reactive element classified as a non-metal represented by the chemical symbol P [1, 2, 3]. It mainly exists in its two allotropic forms, including the waxy, white solid and the non-crystalline, solid red that is obtained by heating white phosphorus [3, 4, 5].

What is Nitrogen Nitrogen (pronounced as Nye-treh-gen) is a chemical element, existing in the form of a colorless diatomic gas. Denoted by the chemical symbol N, it belongs to the family of nonmetals. It is the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, represented by the molecular formula N2 [1, 2]. There are 12… Continue reading Nitrogen

What is Mercury Mercury (pronunciation: MER-kyoo-ree) is a heavy, silvery element belonging to the family of transition metals in the periodic table and represented by the chemical symbol Hg [1, 2, 3]. It is the only metal that exists in its liquid form at standard temperature and pressure conditions [4].

What is Calcium Calcium (pronunciation KAL-see-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Ca [1], is a soft element belonging to the family of alkali earth metals [3]. Naturally occurring Ca is a mixture of 6 isotopes with mass numbers 40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 48 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has 19… Continue reading Calcium

What is Helium Helium (pronunciation: HEE-lee-em) is a colorless, odorless element classified as a non-metal, belonging to the group of inert gases in the periodic table and is represented by the chemical symbol He [1, 2, 3]. It is a monoatomic gas that forms weak diatomic molecules only at temperatures close to -273.15 °C or… Continue reading Helium

What is Carbon Carbon (pronounced as KAR-ben) is a soft nonmetal denoted by the chemical symbol C. It forms several allotropes including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerene. Carbon is the sixth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, and it can be obtained in the form of black powder by burning organic compounds in a… Continue reading Carbon

What is Oxygen Oxygen (pronunciation: OK-si-jen) is a colorless element that belongs to the group of Chalcogens in the periodic table, and it is represented by the chemical symbol O [1, 2, 3]. A highly reactive non-metal, it can easily form oxides with most of the other elements and their compounds [3]. At room temperature,… Continue reading Oxygen

What is Magnesium A silver-white tough metal, magnesium (pronounced as mag-NEE-zhi-eem) belongs to the family of alkali earth metals. Represented by the chemical symbol Mg, it burns easily in air with a distinctive bright white light [1, 2]. The eighth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, magnesium has 15 isotopes with mass numbers ranging… Continue reading Magnesium

What is Argon Argon (pronunciation: AR-gon) is a colorless, odorless, inert element belonging to the group of inert gases in the periodic table and is represented by the chemical symbol Ar [1, 2, 3]. Although it was once considered to be completely unreactive, it is now known to form a compound argon fluorohydride (HArF) during… Continue reading Argon

What is Selenium Selenium (pronounced as si-LEE-nee-em) is a metalloid, existing in both amorphous and crystalline forms, where the former appears as red/black powder and the latter as a silver-gray rock [1]. Denoted by the chemical symbol Se, it has 24 isotopes of which only six exist naturally in different concentrations in the earth’s crust… Continue reading Selenium

What is Arsenic Arsenic (pronunciation AR-s’n-ik [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula As [1], is a lustrous, tasteless, odorless, brittle metalloid belonging to the family of transition metals [3, 13]. Naturally occurring W is a mixture of 5 isotopes with mass numbers 180, 182, 183, 184 and 186 [1, 3]. Besides that, it… Continue reading Arsenic

What is Chromium Chromium (pronunciation: KROH-mee-em) is a brittle, lustrous, silvery element belonging to the group of transition metals in the periodic table, and it is represented by the chemical symbol Cr [1, 2, 3]. It is highly valued for its hardness and corrosion resistance [4].

What is Nickel Nickel (pronunciation NICK-‘l [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Ni [1], is a hard, ductile and malleable element belonging to the family of transition metals [3, 5]. Naturally occurring Ni is a mixture of 5 stable isotopes with mass numbers 58, 60, 61, 62 and 64 [1, 3]. Besides that,… Continue reading Nickel

What is Iron Iron (prounounced as EYE-ren) is a hard metal with a high commercial value, belonging to the family of transition metals. Represented by the chemical symbol Fe, it is chemically reactive with a tendency to corrode easily in air forming a reddish layer called rust when exposed to damp air [1, 2].

What is Gold Gold (prounounced as GOLD) is a lustrous and valuable metal belonging to the family of noble metals. Denoted by the chemical symbol Au, it is does not react with other elements or compounds. Pure gold is designated as 24 carats that’s soft in nature, and hence alloyed with other metals. It has… Continue reading Gold

What is Platinum Platinum (pronunciation PLAT-en-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Pt [1], is a soft, heavy, malleable, ductile and extremely rare element belonging to the family of transition metals [3, 11]. Naturally occurring Pt is a mixture of 6 isotopes with mass numbers 190, 192, 194-196 and 198 [1, 3]. Besides… Continue reading Platinum

What is Cobalt Cobalt (pronunciation: KO-bolt) is a hard, lustrous silvery-blue element belonging to the group of transition metals, and it is represented by the chemical symbol Co [1, 2, 3]. It is chemically active and can form many compounds [4]. It is a ferromagnetic metal that can be magnetized and is alloyed with nickel… Continue reading Cobalt

What is Antimony Antimony (pronunciation: AN-te-MOH-nee) is a lustrous metallic element that belongs to the family of metalloids and is represented by the chemical symbol Sb [1, 2, 3]. There are two stable isotopes of antimony, including 121Sb and 123Sb with a natural abundance of 57.21% and 42.79% respectively [4]. It also has 35 artificially-produced… Continue reading Antimony

What is Chlorine Chlorine (pronounced as KLOHR-een) is a highly reactive diatomic gas belonging to the family of halogens. Denoted by the chemical symbol Cl, it categorized as a nonmetal [1, 2]. It has 16 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 31 to 46 of which only Cl-35 and Cl-37 have a natural existence with a… Continue reading Chlorine

What is Potassium Potassium (pronunciation poh-TASS-ee-em [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula K [1], is a soft element belonging to the family of alkali metals [3] that can be easily cut [11]. Naturally occurring K is a mixture of 3 isotopes with mass numbers 39, 40 and 41 [1, 3]. Besides that, it… Continue reading Potassium

What is Tin Tin (pronunciation: TIN) is a soft, malleable, silvery-white element classified as a post-transition metal in the periodic table and it is represented by the chemical symbol Sn [1, 2, 3]. It is often mixed with other metals to form alloys, including pewter, solder, Britannia, and many more [4].

What is Tungsten Tungsten (pronunciation TUNG-sten [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula W [1], is a hard, brittle element belonging to the family of transition metals [3]. Naturally occurring W is a mixture of 5 isotopes with mass numbers 180, 182, 183, 184 and 186 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has 33 synthetic,… Continue reading Tungsten

What is Zirconium Zirconium (pronunciation: zer-KO-nee-em) is a hard, silvery-gray element that belongs to the group of transition metals and is represented by the chemical symbol Zr [1, 2, 3]. It is a malleable and ductile metallic element that can readily react with other elements to form stable compounds [2].

What is Neon Neon (NEE-on) is classified as a non-metal, represented by the chemical symbol Ne, belonging to the noble gas family. A highly inert and diamagnetic element, it does not react with any other element or compound. Out of its 14 isotopes, only Ne-20, Ne-21, and Ne-22 are naturally occurring with a stable half-life… Continue reading Neon

What is Fluorine Denoted by the chemical symbol F, fluorine (pronounced as FLU-eh-reen) is a highly reactive nonmetal existing naturally in the state of gas. When it gains an electron from another atom in a reaction, it forms fluoride whose ion symbol is F– [11].It belongs to the family of halogens, reacting with almost all… Continue reading Fluorine

What is Manganese Manganese (pronunciation MAN-ge-nees [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Mn [1], is a hard, brittle element belonging to the family of transition metals [1, 19]. Naturally occurring Mn has a single stable isotope with mass number 55 [1, 3]. Besides that, it has 21 synthetic isotopes with mass numbers ranging… Continue reading Manganese

What is Iodine A crystalline metalloid, iodine (pronounced EYE-eh-dine) belongs to the family of halogens. Denoted by the chemical symbol I, it undergoes sublimation when heated to form a purple gaseous vapor, sometimes called as Iodine gas whose molecular formula is I2. Although it is less reactive than the other members in its group, it… Continue reading Iodine

What is Zinc Zinc is a transition metal denoted by the chemical symbol Zn. It is brittle at room temperature, but turns malleable above 100 °C [1, 3]. It is also used in the form of powder and dust. It has 25 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 57 to 83 of which only Zn-66,… Continue reading Zinc

What is Strontium Strontium (pronunciation: STRON-she-em) is a soft, silvery element that belongs to the family of alkali earth metals and is represented by the chemical symbol Sr [1, 2]. Being chemically highly reactive, it reacts with water and burns in the air [1, 3].

What is Silicon Silicon (pronunciation SIL-ee-ken [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Si [1], is a semiconductor [20] belonging to the carbon family [23]. It can be of two types, amorphous powder and solid crystalline form. Naturally occurring Si is a mixture of three stable isotopes with mass numbers 28, 29 and 30… Continue reading Silicon

What is Radon Radon (pronunciation: RAY-don) is an odorless, radioactive element that belongs to the family of noble gases and is represented by the chemical symbol Rn [1, 2]. It is colorless at room temperatures, but becomes phosphorescent when cooled below its freezing temperature and gradually turns into orange-red when the temperature is further lowered… Continue reading Radon

What is Lead Lead (pronunciation: LED) is a soft, malleable, and ductile element having a high corrosion resistance, denoted by the chemical symbol Pb. A poor conductor of electricity, it slowly forms a dull coating when exposed to air [1]. Belonging to the family of post-transition metals, it has 35 isotopes with mass numbers ranging… Continue reading Lead

What is Bismuth Bismuth (pronounced as BIZ-meth) is a brittle metal, existing in several allotrope forms, and denoted by the chemical symbol Bi. It belongs to the nitrogen family having 33 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 185 to 217 of which only Bi-209 is a natural and stable one with a half-life of 1.9×109… Continue reading Bismuth

What is Boron Boron (pronunciation BO-ron [2]), represented by the chemical symbol or chemical formula B [1], is hard and brittle in its crystalline form [22]. It has allotropes in the form of an amorphous powder and three major crystalline forms [34]. Naturally occurring B has two stable isotopes with mass numbers 10 and 11… Continue reading Boron