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Article: Name that element! Which element on the periodic table helps play tricks with birthday candles, colors plants green, and soothes achy stomachs? Follow these eight clues to sleuth the identity of this element. Then, turn the page to test your chemistry IQ.
- Article from:
- Science World
- Article date:
- January 16, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 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
FIELD OF GREENS
Like most elements, the mystery element is usually found combined with other elements in a compound. One compound formed by the mystery element is essential to all green plants. The element--a metal--is central to chlorophyll, the compound that plants use to turn carbon dioxide and water into energy and oxygen. Chlorophyll also gives plants their green hue, says Burt Goldberg, a biochemist at New York University.
GOT IT ALREADY? SCORE 100 POINTS. IF NOT, READ CLUE #2.
CLUE 2
SCRUB THIS
You can partly blame the mystery element for the soap scum in your shower. The stubborn coating is caused by ...