The Disappearing Spoon: Chapter 18
Tools of Ridiculous Precision
Chapter 18 Synopsis
Platinum (Pt)
Atomic Mass: 195.085
Period: 6 Group: 10
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 3d(10) 4s(2) 4p(6) 4d(10) 5s(2) 5p(6) 4f(14) 5d(9) 6s(1)
Classification: Transition Metal
Geographically Found: Can be found in nature, usually found in deposits of gold-bearing sands. It is mainly found in the Ural Mountains, Columbia, and the western United States,
Why it is Important: Platinum conducts electricity extremely well, and is also what makes up the Kilogram.
Discovered: A scientist is not credited for discovering Platinum.
Interesting Fact: Platinum is also used to make jewelry.
Krypton (Kr)
Atomic Mass: 83.798
Period: 4 Group: 18
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 4s(2) 3d(10) 4p(6)
Classification: Noble Gas
Geographically Found: May be found in minerals, mostly found in the atmosphere.
Why it is Important: Because it is so rare, it does not have many uses. It can be used to make florescent lights and high speed photography.
Discovered: In 1898 by Morris M. Travers and Sir William Ramsay while studying liquefied air.
Cesium (Cs)
Atomic Mass: 132.905
Period: 6 Group: 1
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 4s(2) 3d(10) 4p(6) 5s(2) 4d(10) 5p(6) 6s(1)
Classification: Alkali Metal
Geographically Found: It is hard to find pure cesium because most of the time it is mixed with rubidium. They are chemically similar and can be separated through fractional distillation.
Why it is Important: Cesium is mainly used in atomic clocks.
Discovered: In 1860 by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff. Named after the blue lines in its spectrum.
Uranium (U)
Atomic Mass: 238.03
Period: 7 Group: None
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 3d(10) 4s(2) 4p(6) 4d(10) 5s(2) 5p(6) 4f(14) 5d(10) 6s(2) 6p(6) 5f(3) 6d(1) 7s(2)
Classification: Rare Earth Metal
Geographically Found: Uranium can be found in rocks, soil, and water.
Why it is Important: It is used to power reactors which make electricity.
Discovered: In 1789 by Martin Heinrich Klaproth.
Interesting Fact: It is very toxic to humans and can cause a higher risk cancer because of it's radioactivity.
Samarium (Sm)
Atomic Mass: 150.36
Period: 6 Group: None
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 3d(10) 4s(2) 4p(6) 4d(10) 5s(2) 5p(6) 4f(6) 5d(0) 6s(2)
Classification: Rare Earth Metal
Geographically Found: Can be found in monazite and bastnasite, found in Hungary and Greece.
Why it is Important: It can be used to make studio lights and the flint for lighters.
Discovered: in 1879 by Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran.
Interesting Fact: Can be used to treat some types of cancer.
Chromium (Cr)
Atomic Mass: 51.996
Period: 4 Group: 6
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 4s(2) 3d(4)
Classification: Transition Metal
Geographically Found: Almost all of it is found in Africa and Zimbabwe.
Why it is Important: Can be used to make stainless steel and to harden steel.
Discovered: In 1797 by Louis-Nicholas Vauquelin.
Fermium (Fm)
Atomic Mass: 257
Period: 7 Group: None
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2) 3p(6) 3d(10) 4s(2) 4p(6) 4d(10) 4f(14) 5s(2) 5p(6) 5d(10) 5f(12) 6s(2) 6p(6) 7s(2)
Classification: Rare Earth Metal
Geographically Found: Never found naturally, only found in radioactive fallout of an atomic bomb test.
Why it is Important: It us used for scientific research. That is almost all they can use it for because of it's high radioactivity,
Discovered: In 1952 by a group of scientists led by Albert Ghiorso, they were studying debris from the first atomic bomb.
Magnesium (Mg)
Atomic Mass: 24.305
Period: 3 Group: 2
Electron Configuration: 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(2)
Classification: Alkaline Earth Metal
Geographically Found: Found in the Earth's crust.
Why it is Important: It is needed for the life of plants and animals. It is also used to help humans with the structuring of bones and teeth and the nervous system.
Discovered: In 1755 by Joseph Black.
Interesting Fact: Magnesium can also be used for flares and bombs,
Summary of Chapter 18: Tools of Precision
Resources:
Jefferson Lab. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2016, from
http://education.jlab.org/search/
Minerals Education Coalition. (n.d.). The Periodic Table-Magnesium. Retrieved January 13, 2016, from
http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/elements/magnesium