Chemistry
Chemistry is called the central science because it provides a bridge from the math and forces or physics that tend to have exact numbers and predictable phenomena with the complex conceptual world of biology.
This week’s first discussion will focus on chemical elements, the smallest building blocks of everything that contain unique properties.
For your initial post, choose an element with atomic number greater than 20. In a minimum of two paragraphs explain how this element plays a major role in human society.
The first paragraph should contain the physical properties of the element, including weight, # of protons, electrons & neutrons and other important elemental stats.
The second paragraph should focus on what applications the element has in society.
Sample Solution
Iron is a chemical element with symbol of Fe and atomic number 26. Iron is a lustrous, ductile, malleable, silver-gray metal (group VIII) of the periodic table). It is known to exist in four distinct crystalline forms. Iron rusts in damp air, but not in dry air. It dissolves readily in dilute acids. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, right in front of oxygen, forming much of Earth`s outer and inner core. Iron is the most used of all the metals, including 95% of all the metal tonnage produced worldwide. Thanks to the combination of low cost and high strength it is indispensable. Its applications go from food containers to family cars, from screwdrivers to washing machines, from cargo ships and paper staples.
