Edufount

This is the magic element for everything on Earth. All life on Earth depends on carbon (C). It is in nearly every biological compound that makes up our bodies, systems, organs, cells, and organelles. When you breathe out, there is a lot of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Carbon has been known and used for thousands of years. It was never really discovered. Ancient people knew of the black soot left over after a fire. That was carbon. Carbon is the sixth element in the periodic table. Located between boron (B) and nitrogen (N), it is a very stable element. Because it is stable , it can be found both by itself and in many naturally occurring compounds. Scientists describe the three states of carbon as diamond, amorphous, and graphite. It is the same graphite you find in pencils. Where can you find carbon? Plants All plants have carbon as their most important element. Without carbon plants would not exist. That means every animal on Earth also needs carbon to survive. You c...

Atomic Number: 3 Atomic Weight: 6.941 Melting Point: 453.65 K (180.50°C or 356.90°F) Boiling Point: 1615 K (1342°C or 2448°F) Density: 0.534 grams per cubic centimeter Phase at Room Temperature: Solid Element Classification: Metal Period Number: 2     Group Number: 1     Group Name: Alkali Metal What's in a name? From the Greek word for stone, lithos . Say what? Lithium is pronounced as LITH-ee-em . History and Uses: Lithium was discovered in the mineral petalite (LiAl(Si 2 O 5 ) 2 ) by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817. It was first isolated by William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy through the electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li 2 O). Today, larger amounts of the metal are obtained through the electrolysis of lithium chloride (LiCl). Lithium is not found free in nature and makes up only 0.0007% of the earth's crust. Many uses have been found for lithium and its compounds. Lithium has the highest spe...