The Elements

Hydrogen is both the lightest and the most abundant element in the universe, fueling stars through fusion.

Hydrogen is both the lightest and the most abundant element in the universe, fueling stars through fusion.

Carbon's ability to bond in countless ways makes it the chemical basis of all known organic life.

Carbon's ability to bond in countless ways makes it the chemical basis of all known organic life.

Nitrogen dominates Earth's atmosphere and forms a key building block of amino acids and proteins.

Nitrogen dominates Earth's atmosphere and forms a key building block of amino acids and proteins.

Oxygen supports respiration for most living things and makes up roughly a fifth of the atmosphere.

Oxygen supports respiration for most living things and makes up roughly a fifth of the atmosphere.

Sodium is a soft reactive metal that combines with chlorine to form ordinary table salt.

Sodium is a soft reactive metal that combines with chlorine to form ordinary table salt.

Magnesium burns with a bright white flame and sits at the center of every chlorophyll molecule in plants.

Magnesium burns with a bright white flame and sits at the center of every chlorophyll molecule in plants.

Silicon underlies modern computer chips and ranks second only to oxygen in Earth's crust.

Phosphorus is essential to DNA and bone, and one of its forms glows faintly, inspiring its name.

Phosphorus is essential to DNA and bone, and one of its forms glows faintly, inspiring its name.

Sulfur's bright yellow crystals and pungent compounds have been used since antiquity to make gunpowder.

Sulfur's bright yellow crystals and pungent compounds have been used since antiquity to make gunpowder.

Chlorine disinfects drinking water and, combined with sodium, forms ordinary table salt.

Chlorine disinfects drinking water and, combined with sodium, forms ordinary table salt.

Potassium is vital for nerve and muscle function, and its symbol K comes from the Latin kalium.

Potassium is vital for nerve and muscle function, and its symbol K comes from the Latin kalium.

Calcium builds bones and teeth and stands as the most abundant metal found in the human body.

Calcium builds bones and teeth and stands as the most abundant metal found in the human body.

Iodine supports thyroid function and produces a striking violet vapour; it can also melt into a liquid.

Iodine supports thyroid function and produces a striking violet vapour; it can also melt into a liquid.

Lithium is the lightest of all metals and powers rechargeable batteries as well as certain medications.

Lithium is the lightest of all metals and powers rechargeable batteries as well as certain medications.

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in Earth's crust and prized for being both light and strong.

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in Earth's crust and prized for being both light and strong.

Silicon underlies modern computer chips and ranks second only to oxygen in Earth's crust.

Titanium matches steel's strength at roughly 45 percent of the weight, prized in aerospace and implants.

Titanium matches steel's strength at roughly 45 percent of the weight, prized in aerospace and implants.

Chromium gives stainless steel its shine and takes its name from the Greek word for color.

Chromium gives stainless steel its shine and takes its name from the Greek word for color.

Manganese strengthens steel production and also serves as a trace nutrient the human body needs.

Manganese strengthens steel production and also serves as a trace nutrient the human body needs.

Iron underpins industrial society and carries the symbol Fe from the Latin word ferrum.

Iron underpins industrial society and carries the symbol Fe from the Latin word ferrum.

Nickel appears in coins and stainless steel and was named after a spirit blamed for deceptive ore.

Nickel appears in coins and stainless steel and was named after a spirit blamed for deceptive ore.

Copper conducts electricity superbly but slowly turns green as it reacts with air and moisture.

Copper conducts electricity superbly but slowly turns green as it reacts with air and moisture.

Zinc coats steel to prevent rust and also serves as an essential trace mineral in human diets.

Zinc coats steel to prevent rust and also serves as an essential trace mineral in human diets.

Silver conducts electricity better than any other metal and carries the symbol Ag from the Latin argentum.

Silver conducts electricity better than any other metal and carries the symbol Ag from the Latin argentum.

Tin coats steel cans against corrosion and takes its symbol Sn from the Latin word stannum.

Tin coats steel cans against corrosion and takes its symbol Sn from the Latin word stannum.

Platinum's name comes from a Spanish term for little silver, and it now appears in jewelry and catalytic converters.

Platinum's name comes from a Spanish term for little silver, and it now appears in jewelry and catalytic converters.

Gold has been prized for millennia for resisting tarnish and carries the symbol Au from the Latin aurum.

Gold has been prized for millennia for resisting tarnish and carries the symbol Au from the Latin aurum.

Mercury is the only metal liquid at room temperature, named Hg for the Latin term meaning liquid silver.

Mercury is the only metal liquid at room temperature, named Hg for the Latin term meaning liquid silver.

Lead was once common in plumbing and paint and carries the symbol Pb from the Latin word plumbum.

Lead was once common in plumbing and paint and carries the symbol Pb from the Latin word plumbum.

Helium was identified in sunlight decades before it was found on Earth, and now fills balloons and airships.

Helium was identified in sunlight decades before it was found on Earth, and now fills balloons and airships.

Fluoride compounds help protect teeth; elemental fluorine is highly reactive and toxic.

Fluoride compounds help protect teeth; elemental fluorine is highly reactive and toxic.

Neon glows in electrified signage and belongs to the noble gases, a family that rarely reacts with anything.

Neon glows in electrified signage and belongs to the noble gases, a family that rarely reacts with anything.

Argon ranks as the third most common atmospheric gas and fills light bulbs because it resists reacting.

Argon ranks as the third most common atmospheric gas and fills light bulbs because it resists reacting.

Cobalt powers many rechargeable batteries and takes its name from a mischievous spirit of German mining folklore.

Cobalt powers many rechargeable batteries and takes its name from a mischievous spirit of German mining folklore.

Radium, discovered by the Curies, once lit up glow-in-the-dark paint before its dangers were understood.

Radium, discovered by the Curies, once lit up glow-in-the-dark paint before its dangers were understood.

Uranium fuels nuclear reactors and takes its name from the planet Uranus.

Uranium fuels nuclear reactors and takes its name from the planet Uranus.

Plutonium powers nuclear weapons and reactors and was named after the dwarf planet Pluto.

Plutonium powers nuclear weapons and reactors and was named after the dwarf planet Pluto.

Boron strengthens glass and ceramics and is essential to making heat-resistant borosilicate glass.

Boron strengthens glass and ceramics and is essential to making heat-resistant borosilicate glass.

Bromine is one of only two elements liquid at room temperature and takes its name from a Greek word for stench.

Bromine is one of only two elements liquid at room temperature and takes its name from a Greek word for stench.

Krypton lights specialized lamps and was named using the Greek word for hidden.

Krypton lights specialized lamps and was named using the Greek word for hidden.

Tungsten has the highest melting point among metals and carries the symbol W from its German name wolfram.

Tungsten has the highest melting point among metals and carries the symbol W from its German name wolfram.