A-2: Periodic Table of Elements

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*Elements 57-71 (lanthanoids) have exceptionally similar characteristics, as do elements 89-103 (actinoids).

When put in order by an element’s atomic number (number of protons or electrons), certain characteristics appear periodically. In a periodic table, the elements are lined up by their similar characteristics.

Elements with filled outer electron shells (see Chap. 3) are the least able to combine with other elements and are normally gases. The first electron shell fills with 2 electrons—helium (atomic number 2); the second shell fills with 8—neon (atomic number 10 = 2 in the first shell + 8 in the second); etc. These “noble gases” make up the far right column of the periodic table.

Calcium (atomic number 20) and strontium (38) share some characteristics, as shown by their positions in the periodic table. Radioactive strontium is present in fallout from nuclear explosions. The body handles strontium like calcium, storing it in bone. Blood cells are made in bone marrow, so radioactive strontium in bone raises the risk of leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells).

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†Elements 110 and higher are extremely short-lived, e.g., element 112, made in 1996 by fusing zinc (30) and lead (82), lasts only 280 milliseconds.

Jewelry and coins share some characteristics (e.g., shiny, malleable, metallic); copper (29), silver (47), and gold (79) share a column on the periodic table.

Continuing the line of gold and platinum credit cards, distinguished metallurgist Tim Foecke says: If you want to make a statement with a really, really expensive metal, you could go with osmium. My personal favorite is gadolinium. When you say it fast, it sings. On the more fanciful side, californium, for the laid back customer; einsteinium, for the exceptionally wise money manager; neptunium, for stratospheric credit limits; and, for those just starting out, lead.

Elemental Haiku by Mary Soon Lee Hover over each element in this periodic table vis.sciencemag.org/chemhaiku/ for a haiku that whimsically encompasses astronomy, biology, chemistry, history, and physics.