Oxygen gas (O2, made up of two oxygen atoms joined together) is the most essential gas as we breathe it. It is about one fifth of the air we breathe. Oxygen makes up almost half of the Earth's crust in the form of oxides.
2. Iron
Answer: Fe
Iron reacts with oxygen to produce rust, which is brown. It is combined with carbon to make steel, which is used for buildings.
3. Carbon
Answer: C
Carbon is one of the most important elements because it is found in many of the molecules that make up living things. As an element, it comes in several forms: coal is a widely used fossil fuel; graphite is used as a dry lubricant and combined with clay to make pencil lead; diamond is one of the hardest naturally occurring substances known.
4. Copper
Answer: Cu
The atomic number of copper is 29. The melting point of copper is 1,085°C. It is often combined with other metals: copper and zinc combine to form brass, while copper and tin combine to form bronze.
5. Hydrogen
Answer: H
Hydrogen is the lightest element. It is a gas (H2, made of two hydrogen atoms joined together) which reacts explosively with oxygen to make water, H2O.
6. Silver
Answer: Ag
Silver can be found in the Earth's crust as a native metal, meaning it is not combined with other elements. Silver is extremely ductile and can be drawn into very thin wires. It conducts both electricity and heat very well.
7. Nitrogen
Answer: N
Nitrogen is a non-metal. About 80% of the air we breathe is nitrogen in the form of a gas, N2. Nitrogen atoms are an important part of proteins.
8. Gold
Answer: Au
Gold is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal in pure form. The atomic number of Gold is 79.
9. Silicon Dioxide
Answer: SiO2
Silicon dioxide is found in sand, which can be used to make glass. Glass is a non-crystalline solid that is often transparent, brittle and chemically inert.
10. Sulphuric acid
Answer: H2SO4
Sulphuric acid is a strong acid with hygroscopic properties - this means that it readily absorbs water. It is also known as mattling acid or oil of vitriol.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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