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Article: Name that element! It's the ninth most abundant element in Earth's crust. It's as strong as steel but half as heavy, and you might find it in your braces, bike, even candy! What is it? To find out, grab a periodic table and follow these eight clues. Then turn the page to test your chem IQ. (New Science Mystery Series!).
- Article from:
- Science World
- Article date:
- October 18, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 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) INSIDE SCOOP
Like all elements, this one is composed of atoms, the basic building blocks of matter. Each atom's nucleus, or center, is packed with positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons. Outside the nucleus swirl negatively charged electrons. The mystery element has 22 protons in its nucleus.
(Guessed it? You're a chem whiz!)
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(CLUE 2) ORE-IGINS
This element exists in nature not as a pure element, like gold or sulfur, but as an ore, a mineral compound that contains two or more elements. Ores are mined for industrial uses. The mystery element is extracted from a shiny ...