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Article: Name that element! Which element on the periodic table is a nightmare for bugs, helps keep your refrigerator cold, and protects your computer's hard drive? Follow these eight clues to find out. Then turn the page to test your chemistry IQ.(PHYSICAL: CHEMISTRY)
- Article from:
- Science World
- Article date:
- February 19, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 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
BUDDY SYSTEM
In its pure form, the mystery element looks greenish-yellow. But this highly reactive nonmetal easily combines with other elements to form compounds. The mystery element beats all other elements in the number of different elements it'll team up with, says Darryl DesMarteau, a chemistry professor at Clemson University. "It reacts to form compounds with all other elements except helium, neon, and argon."
GOT IT ALREADY? SCORE 100 POINTS. IF NOT, READ CLUE #2
CLUE 2
BUGS BEWARE
Our bodies contain small amounts of compounds of the mystery element, but larger amounts are deadly. People have learned to ...