Unit II - Chemistry

In this unit we will discuss the elements of the periodic table, how elements combine to make molecules and the properties of elements and compounds

Today's Starter Quote

Don't put off living to next week, next month, next year or next decade. The only time you’re ever living is in this moment.

Hydrogen

Symbol : 11 H

Atomic mass : 1 amu Uses: light gas that

can be used as a fuel.

Check out the Video here

Helium

Symbol : 42 He

Atomic number 2 Uses: lighter than air,

often in balloons

Lithium

Symbol: 73 Li

Number of protons and electrons: 3

Uses: metal that is very reactive with water; part of some batteries

Video here

Beryllium

Symbol: 94 Be

Atomic mass: 9 amu Uses: lightweight

parts for missiles and spacecraft

Boron

Symbol: 115 B

Atomic number: 5 Uses: makes plastic-

like polymers like Silly Putty or burns with an interesting flame as boric acid

Carbon

Symbol: 126 C

Atomic mass: 12 (used a reference for all matter)

Uses: two forms – graphite in pencils or diamond!

Nitrogen

Symbol: 147 N

Atomic number: 7 Uses: makes up 78%

of our atmosphere; vital to living organisms

Oxygen

Symbol: 168 O

Atomic Number: 8 Uses: required for

cellular respiration as O

2; protects Earth

from uv rays as O3

Fluorine

Symbol: 199 F

Number of electrons: 9

Uses: Reacts violently with everything (even glass)! Check here

Neon

Symbol: 2010

Ne

Number of protons, electrons and nuetrons: 10

Uses: fluorescent lights (red)

Sodium

Symbol: 2311

Na

Atomic mass: 23 amu

Uses: reactive with water; component of table salt and ion channels

Magnesium

Symbol: 2412

Mg

Atomic mass: 24 amu

Uses: welding and old photography equipment

Aluminum

Symbol: 2713

Al

Uses: foil used for cooking, rims on car wheels

Silicon

Symbol: 2814

Si

Uses: computer chips, but not silicone – a plastic like substance

Phosphorus

Symbol: 3115

P

Uses: occurs in 3 forms – white (dangerous!), red and black; found in pyrotechnics

Sulfur

Symbol: 3216

S

Uses: also known as brimstone; smells just awful

Chlorine

Symbol: 3517

Cl

Uses: used as one of the first forms of chemical warfare; often used as bleach to disinfect

Argon

Symbol: 4018

Ar

Uses: Also in fluorescent lights – blue in colour!

Potassium

Symbol: 3919

K

Uses: part of fertilizer, very reactive with water; found in bananas

Calcium

Symbol: 4020

Ca

Uses: rare in pure form, but as a compound is key to bones and teeth