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Article: Name that element! this element may be a real lightweight, but it can lift more than 10,000 lbs. and make Darth Vadar sound like Minnie Mouse. What's the mystery element? Grab a periodic table and follow these eight clues to find out. Then turn the page to test your chemistry IQ.(Our Popular Mystery Series Returns!)
- Article from:
- Science World
- Article date:
- November 3, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Scholastic, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Clue 1
NOBLE LONER
The mystery element, which sits in the far right column of the periodic table, is one of the "noble gases." You can't see it--it's a colorless, odorless gas. And liker all noble gases, it's chemically inert, or doesn't combine with any other elements except in extreme cases. But don't be fooled by this loner. It makes up about 7 percent of all the atoms in the universe.
GOT IT ALREADY? SCORE 100 POINTS. IF NOT, READ CLUE #2.
CLUE 2
DIVE DEEP
Scuba divers who go deeper than 40 meters (130 feet) or stay underwater for long periods of time breathe a gas mixture of this element and two other nonmetal ...